Plant extracts refers to substances extracted or processed from plants (all or part of plants) with appropriate solvents or methods. They can be used in pharmaceutical industry, food industry, daily chemical industry and other industries.
Development History
Classification
Ashwaganda Root Extract, ,Sophora Japonica Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Extract Xi'an Tian Guangyuan Biotech Co., Ltd. , https://www.tgybiotech.com
There is a conceptual intersection between plant extracts and Chinese herbal extracts. The raw materials of plant extracts in China mainly come from Chinese herbal medicine. Therefore, domestic plant extracts can also be called traditional Chinese medicine extracts to some extent. They are generally included in the category of traditional Chinese medicine products in China's export trade statistics.
China's plant extracts come from the traditional Chinese medicine industry, and the overall development time is relatively late. In the 1970s, some Chinese herbal medicine factories began to use mechanical equipment to extract active ingredients, but only as part of production, plant extracts have not been produced on a large scale. Until the 1990s, the international trend of returning to nature rose, and people began to tend to use natural plant products. During this period, China's foreign trade rose, and China's Plant Extract industry was getting better and better. In the 21st century, with the application of more advanced extraction methods such as enzymatic extraction, ultrasound, supercritical extraction, membrane separation technology and microwave extraction technology, the yield of extract has been greatly improved, and China's plant extract industry has entered a golden period of development. From 2010 to 2015, the production capacity and export volume of plant extracts increased steadily and rapidly every year, and the proportion of plant extracts in the export of traditional Chinese medicine also increased a lot. Since 2016, the market situation of plant extracts has changed.
1. According to the content of active ingredients, it can be divided into three categories: effective monomer extract, standard extract and ratio extract;
2. It is divided into glycosides, acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc;
3. According to the product form, it can be divided into vegetable oil, extract, powder, lens, etc.
4. According to the purpose, plant extracts can be divided into natural pigment products, traditional Chinese medicine extract products, extract products and concentrated products.
Application
The application scope of plant extracts has been very wide nowadays. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine products, with the gradual increase of people's trust and dependence on natural products, a large part of plant extracts have been used in health products and food ingredients. In addition, plant extracts have been used in cosmetics and feed in recent years.
Some of the best-selling plant extracts in the world have several classifications. For example, Rhodiola, ginkgo, ginseng extract, etc. are used in the fields of brain strengthening, intelligence, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease; Green tea, Fructus aurantii Immaturus, apple and bitter melon polypeptide extract are applied to reduce weight, reduce blood sugar and prevent diabetes. Paclitaxel, tea polyphenols, theanine, bioflavonoids such as lycopene and Anthocyanin are used in the field of natural anti-cancer; Licorice, garlic, Astragalus membranaceus and soybean extracts are used in the field of human immune system.
Ostrich breeding and management technology
1) Feed: Breeding ostriches require a well-balanced diet tailored to their specific nutritional needs. The feed is typically formulated with attention to calcium and phosphorus levels, as female ostriches have increased requirements during the egg-laying period. They are also prone to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins and essential trace elements such as iodine, iron, and zinc. However, it's important not to overfeed them with high-fat diets. Ostriches lack a gallbladder and have limited ability to absorb fats, so excessive fat intake can lead to digestive issues. Moreover, energy levels should be carefully controlled to avoid weight gain, which may result in reduced egg production or even a complete halt in laying.
(2) Feeding and Management Methods: Proper feeding and management are crucial for maximizing egg production and ensuring the health of breeding ostriches. A male and female African ostrich can be housed together, provided the space is adequate. Each pair should have a barn area of around 10–12 square meters, while the outdoor enclosure (bird bar) should be approximately 250–300 square meters. The layout of the bird bar should ideally follow a 7:3 ratio of open space to sheltered area. Drinking equipment should be made from durable materials like concrete to prevent damage from the birds’ feet and reduce the risk of illness caused by broken or contaminated water sources.
It’s recommended to feed ostriches four times a day, with the first feeding taking place between 6:30 and 7:30 AM. The intervals between feedings should remain consistent. The feeding order usually starts with fine or soft feed, followed by green, coarse mixed feed, with each portion amounting to about 1.5 kg. Clean, fresh water should always be available—preferably warm (around 25°C) in winter. To encourage natural movement and activity, ostriches should be allowed at least one to two hours of free roaming in the morning and afternoon. Regular cleaning of the barn and removal of feces from the bird bar are essential for maintaining hygiene. It’s also advisable to disinfect drinking containers and the birds themselves on a weekly basis to prevent disease outbreaks.