Salvia sclarea, as the core raw material for the synthesis of Ambroxide, has a processing chain that covers multiple transformations from fresh flowers in the fields to high-end spices. This process not only requires precise control of temperature, pressure, and solvent parameters, but also achieves full resource utilization through innovative technology - the initial extraction of essential oils meets the basic fragrance needs, the residue extraction concrete targets the high-end fragrance agent market, and the by-product of hydrosol opens up functional application areas. Below is an analysis of the entire industry chain process from the three core products (clary sage oil, concrete, and hydrosol).
1, Raw material pretreatment: the decisive stage of timeliness and temperature control
The processing time of clary sage directly affects the aroma quality, particularly that of the flower. After harvesting, it is necessary to enter the production line within 24 hours to prevent the degradation of volatile terpenes. Preprocessing consists of two stages:
① Squeezing dehydration: The initial moisture content of the distillation residue reaches 70% -75%, and it is quickly dehydrated by a screw extruder to reduce subsequent energy consumption;
② Low temperature drying: Dynamically dry in a rotating drying drum at 50-55 ℃ to reduce the moisture content to below 50%. If the temperature exceeds 60 ℃ at this stage, it will cause the decomposition of linalool acetate (the core floral component) and the loss of fruity aroma.
Key innovation: The Xinjiang production area in China utilizes segmented variable temperature drying, with rapid dehydration at 55 ℃ in the early stage and retention of thermally sensitive substances at 45 ℃ in the later stage, resulting in an 18% increase in aroma retention rate.
2, Initial extraction of clary sage oil and hydrosol: synergistic production of steam distillation
The steam distillation method is the first process for obtaining essential oil, which simultaneously produces hydrosol:
Process parameters: Contact fresh flowers with steam for 60-90 minutes, pressure of 0.1-0.3 MPa, oil yield of only 0.7% -1.5%;
Product separation:
① Essential oil: containing linalyl acetate (40% -70%), linalool (15% -22%), directly used for daily chemical essence;
② Hydrosols: distilled, condensed water is rich in water-soluble rosmarinic acid and trace terpene alcohol, which can be used as a moisturizing spray or drink additive.
| Table: Main components and content of Clary Sage oil | ||
| Main components | content range | aroma characteristics |
| linalyl acetate | 40% -70% | fresh, fruity, and floral aroma |
| linalool | 15% -22% | sweet woody fragrance |
3, Extract of Concrete: Purification by Solvent Method and Molecular Distillation
The distillation residue still contains 35% -50% of sclareol (precursor for the synthesis of ambroxide), which needs to be converted by solvent extraction:
3.1 Reverse flow leaching process
① Equipment: A drag chain extractor replaces a fixed tank, allowing for counter-current contact between raw materials and solvents, resulting in a 40% increase in efficiency;
② Solvent selection: n-hexane (boiling point 69 ℃) can dissolve terpenes due to its low toxicity and high selectivity;
③ Parameter control: temperature 50-55 ℃, time 80-100 minutes, material to liquid ratio 1:4.
3.2 Triple purification technology
The leaching solution undergoes three-stage treatment to improve purity:
① Atmospheric distillation: recover 90% n-hexane;
② Reduced pressure concentration: Shrink to 1/7 of the original volume at 40-50 ℃, retaining the thermosensitive component;
③ Molecular distillation: Separate light components at 60-70 ℃ and 10-15 Pa vacuum degree to remove wax and pigments.
Industry breakthrough: Hubei enterprises' patented technology combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (40-60 ℃, 150-200KHz) and activated carbon settling, increasing impurity removal rate by 90%.
4, Value added of hydrosol: from wastewater to functional products
The hydrosol produced during the distillation process was once considered wastewater. It is now a high-value product through membrane separation technology.
Filtration and concentration: A 0.1 micron precision membrane removes large molecular proteins and tannins, improving transparency.
Low-temperature concentration: The membrane concentration equipment reduces the hydrosol to 1/5 of its original volume at room temperature, with a water treatment cost of only 10 yuan per ton, to avoid high-temperature damage to the aroma.
Application expansion: skin care field - small molecule terpene alcohol enhances skin permeability, and a brand from Taiwan, "Shiyue," utilizes it for a moisturizing spray.
5, Industrial chain value: cross-border application from perfume to tobacco
The processing chain of Clary Sage covers the needs of multiple industries:
① High-end perfume: 95% pure sclareol is used to synthesize ambroxide/ambroxan for Dior and Chanel fixatives;
② Tobacco Fragrance Adjustment: Concrete and sclareolide are added to tobacco at a rate of 0.5 ‰ -1 ‰ to neutralize irritation and impart a woody aroma. Welcome to contact us to explore more information! (Email: sales@appchem.cn)