Development of a multimode microwave cavity-based extraction system for continuous production of alcoholic Jambu extract

• Grant number: 23/14418-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Design
• Principal Investigator: Letícia Megumi Ishibaru
• Grantee: Letícia Megumi Ishibaru
• Company: Microondas Desenvolvimento e Tecnologias Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de cosméticos, produtos de perfumaria e de higiene pessoal ; Fabricação de máquinas e equipamentos para uso industrial específico não especificados anteriormente
• City: Campinas
• Pesquisadores principais: Davidson da Costa Luz ; Jose Lavaquial Biosca Neto ; Marcos Aurélio Corrêa Machado
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/14177-4 - Development of a microwave multimode cavity-based extraction system for the continuous processing of alcoholic extract of Jambu, BP.TT; 24/06506-8 - Development of a multimode microwave cavity-based extraction system for continuous production of alcoholic Jambu extract, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The proposed development focuses on the cosmetics and personal hygiene segments, particularly in the subsegment of raw materials, with the aim of manufacturing a laboratory-scale prototype of a microwave multimode cavity-based extraction system for obtaining high-quality plant extractsThe global market for beauty and personal care products was $553 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $751 billion by 2032. In Brazil, the fourth-largest market in the world, consolidated revenue was R$125 billion in 2021. This highly competitive market has been evolving to meet the increasing demands of discerning consumers who are more concerned with sustainability and animal welfare issues. This scenario has driven the demand for natural products, resulting in a global market for natural and organic cosmetics valued at around $37 billion in 2022, expected to reach $59 billion by 2031. Among the various available plant species, Jambu has gained prominence due to the presence of an active compound, spilanthol, which produces a local anesthetic effect. It has been the subject of research applied to various industries, especially cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. For this reason, this species was selected for the feasibility evaluation of the equipment to be developed.Currently, the extraction of natural products is traditionally performed through the maceration process or the use of a Soxhlet extractor, which requires a significant amount of time and/or involves high temperatures. These methods provide low-quality extracts and reduced yield since many of the desired compounds undergo degradation throughout the process.Thus, with the increasing demand for biologically active compounds from natural sources, the search for innovative extraction technologies has proven to be a vibrant field with significant potential. In this context, microwave-assisted extraction emerges as a promising alternative, capable of providing more uniform heating, significantly reducing extraction time and the consumption of organic solvents, as well as offering high yield and minimal degradation of thermosensitive components when compared to commonly employed techniques in the industry.However, despite the advantages of microwave-assisted extraction, its industrial application is still very limited to small-scale equipment that features a monomodal cavity and operates in a batch mode. Thus, with this scientifically and technologically based project, the goal is to develop a laboratory-scale prototype of a continuous microwave multimode cavity extraction system for processing Jambu and obtaining an extract enriched in spilanthol. This system is intended to surpass conventional methods in terms of energy efficiency, quality, and yield, while also offering a lower processing cost. The present development aims to assist producers and industries in achieving greater efficiency in their industrial process for the extraction of natural products. It also aims to provide the market with equipment and/or systems that can serve as an advantageous and efficient alternative for sourcing raw materials for the cosmetic and personal hygiene industry. (AU)