Modelling for extraction of major phytochemical components from eurycoma longifolia

Abstract

A mass transfer model of major phytochemical components from Eurycoma longifolia was developed in order to describe the solid-liquid extraction process. The yield of the extraction normally depends on the operating parameters such as solvent to raw material ratio, extraction time, temperature and agitation speed. In this study, the model was developed taking into account the two-way mass transfer of solute into liquid phase and the solvent into solid system. The influence of processing variables such as extraction temperature, solvent to raw material ratio and agitation speed was simulated by the model. Several assumptions were made in the theoretical approach to solve the simulation algorithm in order to predict the performance of the solid-liquid extraction system. From the study, it can be concluded that when the extraction temperature was increased, the yield of extraction also increased and this has reduced the extraction time. The best agitation speed was found to be at 400 rpm.