Modern Techniques for Concentration of Active Principles from Plant Extracts, Based on Membranary Technologies

This work is focused on the separation and concentration of the active principles from the Viscum album and Tymus vulgaris aqueous extracts by using membrane techniques. By membranes processes such as microfiltration ? ultrafiltration both the proteins, polyphenols and flavonoids concentration and their separation from the compounds with smaller molecular weight (free amino acids, monosaccharides, etc.) that pass through the membranes were obtained. The main advantages of membranary technologies for separation and concentration of active principles from plant extracts are the following: low costs, high separation yield, high purity, absence of phase changes, process development at room temperature and preservation of active principles, simplicity, modulated compact installations.