water analysis, purification & testing Extracting bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel “An improved extraction method may help unlock phenolic compounds from waste fruit residues, opening new opportunities to explore their potential health benefits”
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omegranate (Punica granatum L.) is already championed for its range of purported health benefits. While most research has so far focussed on the pulp and juice of the fruit, the peel has largely been ignored. But this could be about to change. Normally a waste product from the juicing process, pomegranate peel also offers an untapped source of phenolic compounds. These naturally-occurring substances have been linked to the prevention and treatment of various health conditions – including cardiovascular disease, obesity and cancer. But getting hold of these potentially valuable compounds from pomegranate peel in sufficient quantities to study their biological effects has so far proved challenging.
compounds using a combined pressurised liquid extraction and ultrasound process from an earlier study — but this time, also added an expansion gas into the system. They followed this by using ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHLPC/MS) to identify specific compounds and quantified them using HPLC. The team used ultrapure water generated by an ELGA PURELAB® Flex 3 laboratory water purification system for all their experiments, minimising the risk of introducing contaminants that might affect their results. Improved yield, speed and solvent consumption The researchers detected a total of 20 different peaks in their pomegranate peel extracts – including α-punicalagin, β-punicalagin and ellagic acids. They found that adding an expansion gas into the system boosted yields by 20 to 26 percent – which was approximately double that of the gain from using either ultrasound or expansion gas separately. Importantly, this was independent of particle size – which
they already knew was a key factor affecting the yield of the extraction process. The results from this study reveal the enormous potential of combining pressurised liquid extraction with both ultrasound and an expansion gas to improve the extraction of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel. This approach should make it possible to reduce the amount of solvent used, while also producing extracts with a higher concentration in shorter times than conventional pressurised liquid extraction procedures. This powerful new extraction method could eventually help pave the way for the use of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel in nutraceuticals and functional foods, enabling the agricultural industry to add value to waste products while enhancing human health. Author: Dr Alison Halliday REFERENCE 1. Santos, MP. et al. Extraction of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) with pressurized liquids by ultrasound
Adding an expansion gas into the extraction process Many techniques are currently available for extracting bioactive compounds from fruit residues – including pressurised liquid extraction or ultrasound. Combining these two techniques together can also improve their performance in terms of speed, efficiency and consumption of solvents. In a new study, published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, researchers explore the potential benefits of introducing an expansion gas into an existing process for extracting phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel.1 The scientists prepared pomegranate peel samples by using a commercial pulper, followed by oven-drying and grinding. They then extracted phenolic
combined with an expansion gas. 2019; 54: 11-17.
Why choose ELGA LabWater? ELGA has been a trusted name in pure and ultrapure water since 1937. Its history of innovation helps the company to research new water purification technologies and techniques. ELGA gives you the tools to achieve consistent, reliable and accurate results. For any enquires, contact Labotec, the local agents for ELGA Labwater. LABOTEC (PTY) LTD JHB: (011) 315 5434 CPT: (021) 531 7660 DBN: (031) 566 4870 Fax: (011) 315 5882 sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za
Water analysis – 4x faster with Metrohm Omnis
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uality control in the water treatment industry depends on the routine analysis of a variety of key parameters. The lengthy testing must always comply with SANS 241 to ensure the safe quality of drinking water. This places additional burdens on our
already-stretched water suppliers and municipal laboratories. The solution is a system that enables parallel determinations of various parameters with subsequent simplified data capture. This is where Omnis adds most value. The new modular platform enables fully automated parallel titrations at four work stations. This means a four-fold increase in productivity on any given day. The titrations performed at the four work stations can be all of the same kind (e.g. only alkalinity) or a mixture of titrations such as alkalinity, hardness,
chlorides, permanganate index, etc. The user can decide and, thereafter, freely modify the sequence should an urgent sample need to be analysed. The database collects all the results and assigns it to the specific sample in a single report. This saves valuable data capture time and secures the traceability of all data produced for future audits. The real value of Omnis lies in its modularity. Similar to buying apps for an iPhone, the user simply scales up the functionality of his system by buying additional licenses when the need arises. METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 078 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
17 Issue 1 2020
Direct-Pure EDI lab water systems
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ephile, a leading provider of lab water purification systems, offers the Direct-Pure EDI lab water system which produces Type II water from tap water directly. Resistivity of the product water is above 5 MΩ·cm at 25°C, which meets or exceeds Type II water quality as defined by ASTM, CAP, CLSI and ISO 3696 / BS 3997, and also complies with the Purified Water requirements from the European and U.S. Pharmacopoeia. The Direct-Pure EDI system incorporates an Ion-Pure EDI module to deliver high quality Type II water consistently at a relatively lower cost. The fully automated control system contains pre-rinse, RO membrane fouling preventing flush, RO membrane life monitoring, as well as many other programs for convenient operation. The pre-filtration system removes most particles, chlorine and organic compounds to protect the RO membrane and EDI module to extend their use. The pre-rinsing program starts automatically when a new RO membrane is installed so there is no need for users to set up additional cleaning procedures. The system is equipped with a 30-litre PE tank (upgradable to a 60-litre), a liquid level sensor and a tank vent filter with carbon dioxide scavenger to prevent air-borne contamination of the EDI water. The water dispenser handle is 360 degree-rotatable and detachable from its support for effortless and instant dispensing with maximum flexibility. Rephile can provide full document support to meet users’ GMP, GLP, FDA and other certification requirements. Type II pure water can be used in many areas and typical applications are preparation of culture media and preparation of solutions for many chemical analyses.
MICROSEP (PTY) LTD Frances Renwick Tel: (011) 553 2300 Fax: (011) 553 2400 frances.renwick@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za
