摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently extract an effective component from Melia Azadirachta at a low temperature in a short time by subjecting the bark, leaves, blossoms, fruits or root part of the Melia Azadirachta to extraction treatment with a supercritical fluid. SOLUTION: The medicinal properties are extracted from MELIA Azadirachta with a supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide, ethylene or propane gas. Supercritical carbon dioxide is preferably used in consideration of operability, toxicity and the handling of an extract. Since supercritical carbon dioxide has a density close to that of liquefied carbon dioxide, high solvent power and a high diffusion coefficient, a high extraction rate is attained, and rapid extraction is enabled because of low viscosity. Since supercritical carbon dioxide becomes gas at normal temperature and normal pressure, solvent treatment operation after extraction is unnecessary. Extraction temperature is preferably in the range of 32-80 deg.C and the extraction pressure is preferably in the range of 73-250 kg/m2. Extraction is efficiently carried out in about 16-60 min. After extraction, an expansion nozzle is released to give normal temperature and normal pressure and the extract can easily be collected. |