There are a few alternative methods to concentrate the moringa oleifera extract when using ethanol as the solvent, besides rotary evaporation:
Vacuum distillation: This method uses reduced pressure to lower the boiling point of ethanol, allowing for evaporation at a lower temperature. It's gentler on heat-sensitive compounds compared to regular distillation.
Freeze drying (lyophilization): The extract is frozen and then placed under vacuum, causing the frozen ethanol to sublimate directly from solid to gas. This method is particularly good for preserving heat-sensitive compounds.
Air drying: The extract can be spread thinly and allowed to air dry at room temperature or with gentle heating. This method is simple but takes longer and may not be suitable for all compounds.
Solvent extraction: Using a non-polar solvent like hexane to extract the ethanol, leaving behind the concentrated extract. This requires an additional separation step.
Membrane filtration: Techniques like reverse osmosis or nanofiltration can be used to concentrate the extract by removing the ethanol.
Using a hot air oven at 45°C to concentrate the moringa oleifera extract is a viable method, but it comes with some considerations:
Process duration: This method will indeed be longer compared to rotary evaporation or vacuum distillation. The exact time will depend on factors like the volume of extract, surface area exposed, and air circulation in the oven. It could take several hours to a day or more.
Antioxidant capacity: There's a potential for some loss of antioxidant capacity, but at 45°C, this loss should be minimal for most compounds. However, the extended exposure time might lead to more degradation than faster methods. Here's why:
Temperature: 45°C is relatively mild and shouldn't cause significant thermal degradation of most antioxidants. Oxidation: Prolonged exposure to air could lead to oxidation of some compounds, potentially reducing antioxidant capacity. Light exposure: If the oven allows light in, photodegradation of some compounds could occur.