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On the possibility of compressing herbal raw material from Cichorium intybus L. roots
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Tea bags can shed tiny plastic particles into your cup, but this study found a way around that: pressing chicory root (a common tea and coffee substitute) into solid tablet-like briquettes instead of stuffing it in a bag. Researchers figured out the ideal particle size and pressing force to make briquettes that are sturdy but still dissolve quickly (under a minute) in hot water, offering a promising plastic-free alternative for herbal teas and supplements.
Introduction. The release of micro- and nanoplastic particles (microplastics) from filter bags during the preparation of infusions and decoctions from plant materials is a relevant medical and social problem. One promising solution is to replace filter bags with dosed briquettes obtained by direct compression of plant materials. Aim. To establish the optimal pressure range for compressing ground Cichorium intybus L. roots, ensuring the production of a technological product suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Materials and methods. Three fractions of ground Cichorium intybus L. roots (with particle sizes of 500–1000, 180–250, and 50–100 µm) were studied. A comprehensive pharmaceutical-technological assessment of the raw material was carried out (bulk density, flowability, moisture content, etc.). Briquettes weighing 100 mg were obtained at compression pressures ranging from 31 to 311 MPa. The SeDeM method, Heckel and Kawakita equations were used to analyze compressibility. Briquette strength and disintegration time in freshly boiled purified water were evaluated. Results and discussion. The Good Compression Index (GCI) according to the SeDeM method was below the threshold value (5.0) for all fractions; however, the coarse fraction (500–1000 µm) showed the best result (4.55). Using Heckel and Kawakita models, optimal compression pressure ranges for each fraction were established. For the most technologically optimal fraction of 500–1000 µm, this range was 0.687–222.2 MPa. It was experimentally determined that a pressure of 30 MPa is optimal, ensuring the production of strong briquettes with a disintegration time in freshly boiled purified water of less than 60 seconds, which is acceptable for the consumer. Conclusion. It was established that the optimal fraction for briquetting is ground Cichorium intybus L. roots with a particle size of 500–1000 µm. The optimal compression pressure for obtaining rapidly disintegrating briquettes in freshly boiled purified water is 30 MPa. Ground Cichorium intybus L. roots can serve as a technological component to improve flowability in combined herbal mixtures intended for briquetting.
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