Athermal process for the concentration of Garcinia extract

Abstract

The present invention relates to an athermal process of obtaining concentrated Garcinia extract by using osmotic membrane distillation (OMD).

1 . An athermal process for the concentrating  Garcinia  extract, which comprises 
 a) collecting and cutting dried rinds of a fruit selected from  Garcinia  sp,  G. pedunculata  and  G.cowa,      b) extracting the cut rinds with de-ionized water at a volume ratio of 1:4 for a period of 20-30 min at 115° C.-130° C. to obtain an extract,    c) filtering the extract to obtain a particle free extract, and    d) subjecting the particle free extract to osmotic membrane distillation in a co-current mode in the presence of an osmotic agent until the extract reduced to ⅕ th  of its original volume.    
     
     
         2 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of obtaining hydrocitric acid from the concentrated extract of step (d).  
     
     
         3 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a hydrophobic membrane is placed between two steel frames SS316 of the module with suitable spaces.  
     
     
         4 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the extract is circulated at a flow rate of 100-150 ml/min on one side of the membrane using a multi-stage peristaltic pump.  
     
     
         5 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a hydrophobic membrane osmotic agent (OA) is placed on the other side of the membrane using a multi-stage peristaltic pump.  
     
     
         6 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the osmotic agent is saturated calcium chloride.  
     
     
         7 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the osmotic membrane distillation is carried out at ambient temperature of 25±1° C. and pressure of 1 atm.  
     
     
         8 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the osmotic membrane distillation is carried on for about 4-6 hrs till the extract was concentrated in the feed tank.  
     
     
         9 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the free hydrocitric acid content in the concentrate is in the range 33-35% estimated by HPLC method.  
     
     
         10 . A process as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hydrocitric acid content was increased from 4-6 fold and HCA is present in the native form (not as derivative) with out formation of lactone, increasing it commercial and nutritive values.  
     
     
         11 . An athermal process for the concentration of  Garcinia  extract comprising the steps of: 
 a) collecting the dried fruit rinds may be effected from the species of  Garcinia      b) cutting the rinds of  G. pedunculata/G.cowa  manually to a size of 3×9 mm to 6×14 mm    c) extracting may be effected with de-ionized water at a volume ratio of 1:4 for a period of 15-35 min at 110-130° C.    d) filtering the above extract may be effected by filter cloth    e) concentrating the HCA by osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) in a co-current flat membrane module    f) placing a hydrophobic membrane between two steel frames SS316 of the module with suitable spaces    g) circulating the extract at a flow rate of 100-150 ml/min on the one side of the membrane using a multi-stage peristaltic pump    h) hydrophobic membrane osmotic agent (OA) on the other side of the membrane using a multi-stage peristaltic pump    i) carrying out OMD for about 4-6 hrs till the extract was concentrated in the feed tank.