Our eco-extraction technology
Innovation for tomorrow’s world
Our innovative eco-extraction technology
Antofénol is breaking new ground with its innovative technique: a microwave eco-extraction process that allows for rapid, industrial-scale production without the use of chemical solvents. This unique and natural process makes it possible to develop effective, sustainable, environmentally-friendly and health-friendly solutions for the agricultural, cosmetics and food sectors.
Suitable for all types of plants, our technology combines 3 eco-extraction techniques—microwaves, vacuum and agitation—in a single piece of equipment.
Microwaves act on the cell walls, especially the water in them, which absorbs the wave and converts it into heat. Heating the core of the mass causes high internal pressure within the plant cell, opening the cell walls and releasing its inherent compounds. Agitation distributes the electromagnetic wave evenly over the entire plant. The vacuum protects the sensitive molecules by managing their oxidation and the extraction temperature.
We extract highly-concentrated and eco-designed useful molecules from the plant’s core in greater numbers and in record time (less than one hour) compared to conventional processes.
The Laboratory and its state-of-the-art equipment
We have state-of-the-art, high-performance machinery for creating all our eco-extraction solutions.
For classifying our plant extracts, our laboratories are equipped with an HPLC device and 2 UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography) devices that are used to separate the different substances present in a mixture. As well as a mass spectrometer, the Orbitrap ID-X, which can identify any type of molecule, even trace ones. The identification of biomarkers with the Orbitrap ID-X allows for better control of production.
For extraction, we have a 3 kW 32 L microwave pilot extractor. Under permanent temperature control, it extracts the useful molecules with the option of working in a vacuum and with temperature control. This is used for the first extraction, during the laboratory-scale tests. For large-scale production, we have an industrial extractor with a capacity of 450 L and a microwave power of 75 kW, also equipped with vacuum and temperature control. This is used for the first extraction, during the laboratory-scale tests. For large-scale production, we have an industrial extractor with a capacity of 450 L and a microwave power of 75 kW, also equipped with vacuum and temperature control.
The Orbitrap ID-X
Antofénol has one of the few Orbitrap ID-X mass spectrometers available in France. This is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that allows for quality biochemical classification. Its use brings real added value to Antofénol’s creations and gives our customers the plus-point of combining our microwave technology with biochemical classification.
It accurately identifies the complex chemical structures in our extracts and allows us to determine 100% of their biochemical composition by clearly identifying the different compounds.
Thanks to its intelligent automation, even the smallest of molecules in the most complex samples can be thoroughly classified and exploited. Different extracts can thus be objectively compared according to their phytochemical profiles.
