Instant Controlled Pressure Drop Techniques in Bioactive Compound Extraction
Summary
Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) is a thermo-mechanical process that subjects plant matrices to a rapid transition from high steam pressure to a vacuum, causing instantaneous autovaporisation of residual moisture. This abrupt depressurisation induces cell expansion, microfracturing and pore formation within the tissue, thereby facilitating solvent penetration and enhancing mass transfer rates. By tailoring pressure levels, steam residence time and cycle number, DIC can be optimised to maximise yields of phenolics, flavonoids, pigments and other bioactive compounds while preserving their structural integrity and functional properties. The technique offers eco-friendly advantages through reduced solvent consumption, lower extraction temperatures and shorter processing times. Its applications range from antioxidant recovery in fruit peels to the release of nutraceuticals in oilseeds and cereals, underpinning its global relevance for food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Recent advances have focused on coupling DIC with advanced extraction methods—such as accelerated solvent extraction or supercritical fluids—to further boost extraction efficiency and selectivity. Process modelling of washing and diffusion kinetics now allows precise prediction of compound release, enabling scalable and cost-effective implementation across diverse plant materials.
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Instant Controlled Pressure Drop Techniques in Bioactive Compound Extraction publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in instant controlled pressure drop techniques in bioactive compound extraction across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC): A process combining high-pressure steam treatment with rapid vacuum flash to induce cellular expansion and pore formation in plant tissues.
Effective diffusivity: A parameter quantifying the rate at which solutes migrate through a porous matrix during extraction, influenced by tissue structure and processing.
Total phenolic content: The sum concentration of phenolic compounds in an extract, often correlated with antioxidant potential.
Antioxidant capacity: A measure of an extract’s ability to neutralise free radicals, typically assessed by assays such as DPPH or FRAP.
Washing-Diffusion kinetics: A two-step model describing initial solute desorption from cell surfaces (washing) followed by diffusion through the intracellular matrix.
References
- Enhancement of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) flour properties via instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) technique. International Journal of Food Science & Technology (2024).
- DIC TEXTURING-ASSISTED ACCELERATED SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF ACTIVE MOLECULES OF POMEGRANATE PEEL. JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY (2016).
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