Tongkat Ali Root Extract

Selection and processing of raw materials
Taproots of Tongkat ants over 5 years old (diameter over 5 cm, brown skin), remove moldy or insect-infested parts.
After washing, cut the roots vertically (thickness 2 - 3 mm), dry in 60℃ hot air until the moisture content is less than 8%, and then filter with a 40 mesh sieve for later use.
Scientific basis: The content of citron (such as castor seeds) in taproots is significantly higher than that in lateral roots. The thickness of the slices will affect the penetration efficiency of the solvent. The drying temperature should be lower than 70℃ to prevent the heat-resistant components from deteriorating.
Dynamic reflux extraction
Add purified water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20 (w/v), and reflux extract 3 times every 2 hours at 90℃.
The extracts are mixed, coarsely filtered with a 200-mesh filter cloth, and then finely filtered using a ceramic membrane ultrafiltration system (molecular weight cutoff 10kda) to remove high-molecular impurities such as polysaccharides and colloids.
Resin pretreatment
AB-8 macroporous resin (medium polarity, specific surface area 480 ~ 520m²/g) was activated by alternately soaking in 5% NaOH and 5% HCl, and then filled into the column to achieve a balance with a flow rate of 2bv/h.
Dynamic adsorption and dissolution
Load concentration: 2.5 g crude drug/mL, controlled flow rate 1bv/h, adsorption at room temperature.
Dissolution procedure:
5bv deionized water dissolution (for removal of water-soluble impurities such as sugars and pigments)
4bv 30% ethanol dissolution (target components: eucalyptol, alkaloids, etc.)
The 30% ethanol dissolution was recovered and concentrated at 70℃ under reduced pressure, with a relative density of 1.10 ~ 1.15 (measured at 60℃).
The main parameters are as follows:
The adsorption capacity of AB-8 resin for choline salt is 35mg/g.
30% ethanol can remove more than 85% of the target components while preventing excessive dissolution of fat-soluble impurities.
Drying process
The yield of spray drying (inlet air temperature 180℃, outlet air temperature 85℃) or vacuum freeze drying (-50℃, 0.1mbar) is about 12 ~ 15%.
The finished product is a light yellow to brown powder with a moisture content of no more than 5% and a bulk density of 0.35 to 0.45 g/cm³.
Quality control
HPLC detection indicators: ricinone content ≥1.5%, citric acid content ≥8%.
Microbial limit: must meet USP<61> standards (total aerobic bacteria <10³CFU/g).
Green extraction technology can also be used
Ultrasonic assisted extraction (40khz, 300w) can shorten the extraction time to 1.5 hours and save more than 30% of energy.
The release rate of intracellular components can be increased by enzyme pretreatment (cellulase + pectinase).
To prevent oxidative deterioration, add 0.1% ascorbic acid or vacuum pack with nitrogen.
Microencapsulation technology (such as β-cyclodextrin) improves bitterness and increases bioavailability.
Our extraction process uses multi-stage purification and quality control to ensure the concentration and batch consistency of characteristic components in the extract, in compliance with the requirements of the "Southeast Asian Traditional Herbal Extract Preparation Specifications" (2020 Edition).

Process flow chart

Raw material roots → Cleaning and slicing → Drying and crushing → dynamic water extraction → membrane filtration → resin purification → elution and concentration → drying → Standardized testing → finished product