Experimental Study on Micro-scale Flow of Compounds During Microwave Assisted Extraction of Astragalus Slices

Abstract

An experimental study is performed on the matrix microstructure and size of transport compounds during the process of microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of Astragalus slices. By using membrane separation technology, we analyze the size distribution of compounds in Astragalus water extracts. We also characterize the variation of matrix microstructure by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The study indicates that the diffusion process of transport compounds inside matrix is strongly nonhomogeneous and anisotropic, and has a multiscale characteristic. This work may give some inspiration for scientists and engineers in the fields of micro- and nanoscale.

Keywords:

• Transport compound size
• Microstructure
• Astragalus slices
• SEM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful for the financial support from the Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 50576066, grants 50876073) and the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin of China (grants 08JCZDJC 19 900). We also thank Researcher Tiejun Zhang and Ms. Suxiao Gong of Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research for the identification of the Astragalus slices.