Traditional Chinese medicine holds a very important position in the field of medicine. However, its components are complex and usually contain sugars, amino acids, proteins, oils, waxes, enzymes, pigments, vitamins, organic acids, tannins, inorganic salts, volatile oils, alkaloids, glycosides, etc. The traditional extraction and separation methods of traditional Chinese medicine have some drawbacks such as complex processes and low separation efficiency. Membrane separation technology can remove impurities from the extracted Chinese medicine, enrich the effective parts or components, and is one of the urgently needed advanced technologies in the Chinese medicine pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, in order to achieve the modernization of Chinese medicine and truly promote it to the world market, the extraction of Chinese medicine is imperative. 

Membrane process flow: Extract solution → Pre-treatment → Ultrafiltration → Small molecule ultrafiltration → Membrane concentration → Single-effect/Multi-effect → Subsequent processes 

Advantages of Membrane Technology 

After the extract solution undergoes pre-treatment, it is subjected to ultrafiltration to remove large molecular proteins, tannins, starch, plant fibers, polysaccharides, etc. from the solution. This process improves the clarity of the extract solution, which is beneficial for protecting the subsequent concentration membrane, ensuring the concentration effect, and prolonging the service life of the concentration membrane. 

(2) Small molecule ultrafiltration can effectively remove soluble macromolecular proteins, polysaccharides, and gels, thereby improving the purity and quality of the product. The pore size and material of the ultrafiltration membrane have a wide range of selectivity, and can be analyzed and selected according to specific products. 

(3) The concentrated membrane can effectively retain the target components and remove the solvents, achieving the purpose of concentration. The concentrated water is colorless, clear and transparent, and can be directly extracted for reuse or discharged, thereby saving water resources and reducing environmental pressure. 

(4) Membrane concentration is a type of normal-temperature concentration. It can reduce the loss caused by the decomposition of active ingredients due to high temperature, ensuring the product yield. At the same time, it saves a large amount of steam and reduces energy consumption. 

(5) If high-temperature-resistant membranes are used for concentration, for example, if the temperature of the extract is 70℃, then the concentrated water obtained by the membrane process will still be at 70℃, and the heat can be reused at high temperatures, thereby reducing the amount of steam required for the extraction process. 

(6) The membrane concentration process is a closed system. If the extraction solvent is ethanol, it can reduce the loss of ethanol and save the cost incurred due to the loss of ethanol. 

Application Examples: Concentration of tea extract solution, concentration of schisandra extract solution, concentration of honeysuckle extract solution, concentration of astragalus extract solution, concentration of notoginseng extract solution, concentration of garlic extract solution, concentration of polygonum cuspidatum extract solution, etc. 

For many years, Wuhan Bona has been dedicated to the application process development of membrane separation technology. By integrating processes, membranes and equipment, it has accumulated rich experience in product purification and engineering scale-up. It not only solves manufacturing challenges but also improves product quality, and together with customers, it enhances the technical level of the industry.