Objectives

The temporary phytoextraction workgroup pursues three objectives in its work:

• The greater integration of phytoextraction in the use of renewable raw materials, through the use or extended use of side streams and intermediate steps in the process chains.
• The establishment of phytoextraction as an independent approach to extracting value and active ingredients for the development of new fields of application and the substitution of synthetic products.
• Creating a communication platform for professional exchange and the creation of interfaces with neighboring disciplines.

Interfaces with other bodies

For phytoextraction the interfaces amount to other bodies in the areas of renewable resources (material) and separation techniques (technologically). For renewable resources, the expansion of their useful spectrum and thus the resulting recoverable added value is in the foreground.
The various unit operations in the field of separation techniques provide interfaces for an integrated development and optimization process, based on product requirements from the use of plant extracts.

Working areas

For the workgroup differentiation between three different potential application categories is necessary:

• Large margins (Bulk Chemicals)
• Specialized applications (cosmetics, food, raw materials)
• Special applications (drug development)

The focus of the working group is mainly the area of specialized applications. Here, for example, the new range of herbal ingredients is of interest and how it can be used as an input as precursors in the pharmaceutical production.

For this target area there are three key activities:

• Integrated bioprocess (process synthesis from chemistry biotechnology)

A first approach provides, for example, the use of biotechnological processes (eg enzymes), or more environmentally friendly solvents (green solvents) rather thn unselective (chloro-) organic solvent for optimal incorporation into existing or new process chains.

• Simultaneous approach to strain generation and Downstream Processing

By linking raw material properties (plant based), process optimization and product attributes an integral approach to the specific requirements of process systems can be created.

• Value and active ingridient isolation, e.g. for substitute products

The focus is the development of highly selective extraction procedures for the production of new drugs and synthetic substitutes for ingredients. This approach also includes a review of the potential substance of the existing raw material base as well as their extension.

 

R&D priorities

The integrated process development is senn by the workgroup as the biggest challenge for future developments in the extraction of plant extracts. Particular attention is given to determining the clear definition of interfaces between the various unit operations.

Chair

Chairman: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Strube, TU Clausthal
Vice Chairman: Dr.-Ing. Stefan Pilz, Evonik GmbH