Concentration of Matricaria Chamomilla Extract by Nanofiltration Membrane

Chamomile has used in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industry since ancient times. The purpose of Chamomile extract concentration by using the nanofiltration membranes methods is to achieve a way that will be more easy automation, more simple, cheaper, higher Efficiency, less cost, better selection, Scale and shorter process time and the better exploitation condition. Chamomile extract concentration by using the nanofiltration membranes method was investigated in variable pressure and variable flow velocity. by Improvement in Membrane parameters especially pressure and flow velocity and removing the fouling on the membrane surface, we are able to decrease the rejection efficiency and increase the flux. Effect of pressure range 6 - 8 bar was investigated when the liquid extract was passing. According to the flux curves over time, the flux was reduced from 21/6-14-4 L/m².h to 7/8-6/2 L/m².h. When the pressure was constant (7 bars) and velocity was10-20m/s the flux decreased from 72-14/4 L/m².h to 9-7/8 L/m².h, as well as the concentration of Apigenin active ingredient was reduced from 27/46 ppm to 10/13 ppm. At pressure range 6 - 8 (bar) and constant value of flow velocity(10m/s) concentration decreased from 30/ 70 to 9/86 (ppm).Concentration and flux reduction and rejection efficiency increasing that observed in images that had been taken from the surface of the nanofiltration membranes a result of creating of fouling and concentration polarization phenomenon during the process time.