ADJUSTMENT OF EXTRACTION PARAMETERS OF URTICA DIOCIA USING ADVANCED EXTRACTION METHODS

The pharmaceutical raw material Urtica diocia requires proper preparation so that the extraction process is conducted without obstacles and enables reaching the highest extraction coefficient. It also required special care in adjusting extraction parameters, as well as the appropriate selection of the extraction method, since not all methods give good results and good quality of the extract, and the conduction of a continuous process of extraction. The size of granules of the raw material is an essential factor in selecting the extraction method, with which, there will be achieve the highest values of the extraction coefficient and maximum withdrawal of conductive main components of the raw material. Due to the shape of the pharmaceutical plant Urtica diocia, which is characterized by 85/leaves, and the rest part consists of stems, it gives us clear signals that not all extraction methods may be applied for extraction, since after grinding, it creates a homogeneous mixture with a high level of grinding, which completely blocks the realization of the extraction process. There should be researched extraction methods that keep the extraction process in continuity that will be developed to the end, achieving higher levels of the extraction coefficient by adjusting the process in a way that the solution reaches a stage of supersaturation as late as possible, so the process of extraction reaches equilibrium in a higher interval of the extraction time, where this process would end. The high rate of rotation of the mixer determines the selection of the extraction method because it creates a solution that interrupts the filtration process.