Extraction of polyphenols from black tea – Conventional and ultrasound assisted extraction

• Physico-chemical fundamentals of ultrasound assisted extraction were investigated.
• Influence on equilibrium behavior and mass transport kinetics are discussed by use of particle size and SEM measurements.
• Process alternatives for black tea extraction were developed and evaluated.
• Multi-stage maceration was used for equilibrium line determination as well as explanation of ultrasonic benefits.

Products from plant raw materials gain increasing importance in food-, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. By way of contrast, due to lack of detailed physico-chemical fundamentals, existing production processes are economically not optimal designed. This leads to a need for deeper understanding of the processes and furthermore a systematic process and equipment design for the potentially applicable extraction techniques.Using the example of polyphenol extraction from black tea (Kenya), the conventional and ultrasound assisted extractions are investigated. Here, the state of the art as well as a comparison between the two techniques is in focus. Especially, resulting quasi-equilibria and mass transport kinetics serves as a criteria. The physico-chemical background is discussed taking particle size distributions and scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements into account. Conclusively, process alternatives are projected and discussed. Hence, the present study makes influences of ultrasound technique on physico-chemical characteristics during extraction a subject of discussion.