Executive Summary : | Bharat is recognized as a land that possesses traditional knowledge and practices. Numerous ancient scientific texts have documented the utilization of plant materials for promoting a healthy lifestyle. Herbs are one of them which finds their extensive utilization in the health promoting products. Currently, herbs are processed by using conventional grinders. During this conventional processing, it has been observed that there are losses in the Phytochemicals (bioactive compounds) present in them due to the heat generated during the conventional grinding process. These bioactive compounds are thermo-sensitive therefore, it is necessary to address this problem by using a technically sustainable and economically feasible option. Grinding at low temperatures can be a suitable option which can satisfy the technical and economical viability. Cryogenic processing can be opted to satisfy the said conditions. The basic idea behind cryogenic grinding (cryogrinding) for herbal medicine is to retain these bioactive compounds. The compositions of these herbs are complex and complicated, containing volatile aromatics, oxidizable oils, and fats which are also thermosensitive in nature. The aim of the project is to develop an end-to-end processing technology and equipment for processing of minor leafy medicinal herbs. Since no equipment are available for the processing of these minor herbs (Justicia adhatoda and Withania somnifera). Two medicinal leafy herbs namely (Justicia adhatoda and Withania somnifera) will be selected for the said project, the engineering properties (physical and mechanical properties), chemical, phytochemical properties will be determined. All these properties will be used for the designing of the processing line consisting of equipment viz. precooling tunnel, Cryogenic IQF chamber, Cryogenic grinder, Sieving drums, packaging and shrink wrap machine. The developed machine will be tested for various parameters such as speed of machine, feed ratios, liquid nitrogen doses while processing conditions will be optimized. The finally ground herb powders will be evaluated for the retention of the bioactive compounds. Techno-economical feasibility will be assessed to check the commercial viability of the developed machine and process. The developed equipment and processing technology will mitigate the losses occurring in the bioactive compounds present in the herbs while their conventional processing. The developed machine can be implanted in small and micro industries involved in the processing of these minor herbs. |