Development And Application Of Roots And Rhizomes Of Chinese Medicinal Materials Automatically Infiltration Spray Softening Equipment

Purpose: Currently, Chinese Herbal Medicine processing enterprises most usetraditional method to soften the roots and rhizomes of Chinese medicinal materials.Usually, the method is that puts the roots and rhizomes soaked in water for a period oftime and fishes out of them, then spray water repeatedly on their surface to keepingmoist with manual power. The soften level of them are mainly judged by the nature ofwater from specialized workers’ subjective experience. There are some faults of thismethod. First, it is likely to cause the loss of aqueous soluble active constituent in rootsand rhizomes of Chinese medicinal materials. Second, for spraying water with manualpower，there is no regularity and continuity, so different batches of herbal medicineshave different soften level and running the spraying water time over. Third, using thismethod can’t control temperature in the infiltration process and greatly influenced byseasons. They are difficult to soften in winter for the temperature too low. In summer,they are easily going tackily and smelly for the temperature too high which seriouslyaffect their seeming and qualities.In order to solve these problems, enterprises should adopt the principle“combination ofsoak and infiltration; the roots and rhizomes suitable water best”from the reality. Anddesigning mechanical device suitable for mass production, which can make the processautomation and improving the production level of prepared slices of Chinese crudedrugs.Methods:1. Through research factory actual production needs and the softening devices alreadyon the market, designing and preparing the automatic soaking and spraying prototypefor soften the roots and rhizomes and give the standard operating procedure (SOP).2. Though testing the prototype on the root of herbaceous peony, optimizing itsparameters. Comparing it with traditional techniques and plant process, to verify thefeasibility of the device; 3. Though testing the prototype on different texture and size, optimizing its processparameters, confirming its softening effect and general applicability to provide thebasis for the design and manufacturing roots and tubers of Chinese herbal medicines inindustrial production.Results:1. Manufacturing and designing the soaking and spraying equipment for softening theroots and rhizomes of Chinese medicinal materials.2. Though testing the prototype on the root of herbaceous peony, I get its technologicalparameter. The parameters are like these.temperature:45°C; water:0.45times of herbaceous peony; whirl: every30minautomatic rotation1min. The diameter of herbaceous peony less than1cm, theirsoftening total time set to12hours. The diameter between1~2cm, the softening totaltime sets to21hours. The diameter more than2cm, the softening total time sets to26hours. Given these conditions, herbaceous peony can be perfectly sliced. And thesoftening time is2hours shorter than the factory,1hour shorter than the traditionalprocess. The paeoniflorin contents of slices increased by more than19%, and thequality is more stable.3. Though the test other roots and rhizomes can also soften and optimize parameters.Just like cimicifuga foetida, temperature:60°C; water:0.76times of it; whirl: every10min automatic rotation1min; softening total time set to8.5hours. The softeningtime is2.5h-4.5h shorter than the factory. Radix curcumae, temperature:60°C; Water:0.57times of it; whirl: every20min automatic rotation1min; softening total time set to5hours. The softening time is5tines shorter than the factory. Elsholtzia, temperature:60°C; water:0.55times of it; whirl: every10min automatic rotation1min; softeningtotal time set to13hours. The softening time is3tines shorter than the factory. So theprototype has fine effect to soften the roots and rhizomes of Chinese medicinalmaterials. Conclusion:To sum up, the prototype is feasible. And It can optimize the technological parameter.It resolves softening problems at factory and can be conducted industrial production.The equipment research and production improve the quality of prepared slices ofChinese crude drugs, and enhance the production level of mechanization of softeningChinese herbal medicine.