Utrasonic topic: "Phytochemicals"
Phytochemical is an umbrella term for plant-derived (greek word “phyto” means plant) chemicals, which includes a wide variety of compounds that occur naturally in plants. Many phytochemicals are known for their beneficial effects on human health and are therefore highly valued compounds of nutrition. Terpenes, phytosterols, isothiocyanates, organosulfides, stylbenes, isoflavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids and anthocyanides are the most important sub-groups of phytochemicals, which include numerous phytochemicals such as caffeine and theobromine (alkaloids); allicin, glutathione and sulphoraphane (organosulfides); ptherostilbene and resveratrol (stylbenes); or epicatechin, naringin and quercitin (flavonoids) to name just a few.
To use phytochemicals as drugs or nutritional supplements, the plant chemicals must be isolated from the cell matrix. Ultrasonic extraction is a powerful and reliable method to release phytochemicals from plants such as vegetables, herbs, fruits, roots, and bark. Ultrasonic extraction equipment is used in small and large scale, e.g. for the production of terpenes from hemp and cannabis, quercetin from apples, tea and onion, allicin from garlic, caffeine from coffee, theobromine form cocoa beans or ellagic acid from pomegranate.
Intense ultrasound waves are used to create acoustic cavitation, whose shear forces disrupts cell walls and flush the phytochemicals from the cell interior into the solvent. As a non-thermal method, ultrasonic extraction prevents the thermal degradation of heat-sensitive compounds and results in high-quality extracts. High extraction efficiency, (almost) complete extraction, rapid processing and safe operation are further advantages of ultrasonic extraction.
Read more about ultrasonic processors and their use in phytochemical extraction!

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Large-Scale Mushroom Extraction using Probe-Type Batch Sonication
Extracting bioactive compounds from mushrooms for production purposes involves a combination of cutting, grinding or crushing the mushrooms, ultrasonically-assisted solvent extraction, and subsequent isolation of the bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans. Here is a practical instruction of ultrasonic mushroom extraction…
https://www.hielscher.com/large-scale-mushroom-extraction-using-probe-type-batch-sonication.htmKava Kava – Superior Extraction using a Sonicator
Kava extracts are moste efficiently produced using ultrasonic extraction. Ultrasonic extraction is a cutting-edge technique that harnesses the power of energy-dense sound waves to create highly effective kava (Piper methysticum) extracts using water or aqueous ethanol. The ultrasonic extraction method…
https://www.hielscher.com/kava-kava-superior-extraction-using-a-sonicator.htmUltrasonic Extraction of Active Compounds from Grape and Wine By-Products
Grapes (Vitis vinifera), vine and wine by-products are rich in polyphenols and other bioactive substances, which are valuable compounds for the production of medicinal and nutritional supplements. Ultrasonic extraction allows for the simple and highly efficient isolation of grape- and…
https://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonic-extraction-of-active-compounds-from-grape-and-wine-by-products.htmSilymarin Extraction from Milk Thistle – Most Efficient with Ultrasonication
Silymarin is a standardized extract from milk thistle seeds and contains mainly several flavonolignans such as silibin. Silymarin is well-known for various medicinal effects and thereby used in pharmaceuticals and supplements. Ultrasonic extraction has been proven to be the most…
https://www.hielscher.com/silymarin-extraction-from-milk-thistle-most-efficient-with-ultrasonication.htmScale-up of Ultrasonic Extraction Processes
In order to increase production capacities, extraction processes must be scaled to larger volumes / higher throughputs. Ultrasonically-assisted extraction is a highly efficacious method to isolate botanical compounds from plant material. Additionally, sonication applications can be linearly scaled to larger…
https://www.hielscher.com/scale-up-of-ultrasonic-extraction-processes.htmUltrasonication to Improve Algae Cell Disruption and Extraction
Algae, macro- and microalgae, contain many valuable compounds, which are used as nutritional foods, food additives or as fuel or fuel feedstock. In order to release the target substances from the algae cell a potent and efficient cell disruption technique…
https://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonication-to-improve-algae-cell-disruption-and-extraction.htmOrganic Mushroom Extracts with Ultrasound
Produce premium-quality organic mushroom extracts, e.g. from chaga, reishi, psilocybe cubensis (magic mushrooms), lion’s mane, maitake, and many other mushroom species using ultrasonic extraction. The mild extraction method of power ultrasound can be combined with organically certified (bio-certified / eco-certified)…
https://www.hielscher.com/organic-mushroom-extracts.htmDeep Eutectic Solvents for Highly Efficient Extraction
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) offer advantages as extraction solvents on many levels and are thereby a promising alternative to conventional organic solvents. Deep eutectic solvent work excellent in combination with ultrasonic extraction and give…
https://www.hielscher.com/extraction-with-deep-eutectic-solvents.htmSupercritical Fluid Extraction Improved by Power Ultrasonics
Ultrasonic extraction alone or in combination with alternative extraction methods such as solvent extraction or supercritical CO2 extractors is successfully used to extract the full spectrum of cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (hemp and marijuana). In marijuana, the main cannabinoid…
https://www.hielscher.com/supercritical-fluid-extraction-improved-by-power-ultrasonics.htmHighly Efficient Chaga Extraction via Sonication
Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) are rich in very potent phyto-chemicals (e.g. polysaccharides, betulinic acid, triterpenoids), which are known to contribute to health and to fight diseases. Using high-power ultrasonic frequency for chaga extraction is the preferred technique to produce superior…
https://www.hielscher.com/highly-efficient-chaga-extraction-via-sonication.htmJuice and Smoothie Homogenization using Power Ultrasonics
Juices, smoothies and beverages require reliable and efficient homogenization to provide a desirable flavour and texture as well as long-term stability. Ultrasonic high-shear homogenizers are widely used in the food and beverage industry to produce juices, drinks, purees and sauces…
https://www.hielscher.com/juice-and-smoothie-homogenization-using-power-ultrasonics.htmFaster Sprouting with Ultrasonics
Sprouts are a popular health food rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals and antioxidants. The sprouting process is laborious and time-consuming. Ultrasonic activation of seeds increases the germination rate, accelerates the sprouting process, improves the nutritional profile, and promotes the growth…
https://www.hielscher.com/faster-sprouting-with-ultrasonics.htm