Complete Process, Principles, Influencing Factors, and Mainstream Technologies for Chili Pigment Leaching (Extraction of Capsanthin)
Chili pigments—primarily capsanthin and capsorubin (fat-soluble carotenoids)—are encapsulated within the cells of the chili pericarp. The leaching process involves solvent penetration of cell walls, pigment dissolution, and diffusion into the liquid phase for separation; this is the core stage in the industrial production of natural capsanthin.
Basic Pre-treatment
Pigments are concentrated in the chili pericarp; seeds, stalks, waxes, and pectins can hinder leaching and reduce color value, making pre-treatment essential:
Cleaning and impurity removal: Removal of stems, seeds, dust, and moldy seeds (moldy seeds may contain aflatoxins);
Drying and moisture control: Moisture content controlled at 8%–12%; excessive moisture dilutes the solvent and slows leaching, while insufficient moisture causes powder clumping;
Grinding and screening: Optimal particle size is 20–40 mesh; moderate particle size facilitates solvent penetration; overly fine powder adsorbs pigment and is difficult to filter, while overly coarse particles leave cells intact, resulting in incomplete leaching;
Assisted cell wall disruption (efficiency enhancement): Techniques such as microwave, ultrasonic, low-temperature plasma, and enzymatic hydrolysis (cellulase breaking down cell walls) significantly shorten leaching time and increase yield.
Standard Extraction Process
Chili powder → Leaching tank (solid-to-liquid ratio 1:10–1:20; 40–45°C; soaking for 40–60 min; multi-stage counter-current leaching) → Filtration of miscella (oil-solvent mixture) → Vacuum evaporation for solvent recovery → Crude chili oleoresin → Ethanol-based de-pungency treatment (separation of capsaicinoids) → Degumming, dewaxing, and decolorization → Finished capsanthin oleoresin/powder.
Extraction Temperature
Low temperature (35–45°C): Pigments remain stable, fewer impurities are dissolved, and the finished product achieves high color value;
>60°C: Carotenoids undergo oxidative degradation, the red color dulls, and yield decreases;
Case and News
Excessively low temperature: Solvent diffusion slows down, leaching becomes incomplete, and processing time increases. A complete set of 300 TPD (tons per day) chili pigment extraction equipment, custom-engineered by Henan Huatai Intelligent Equipment Group for a client in Uzbekistan, has been loaded and officially shipped to its destination. This marks another significant milestone in Huatai Group’s deep engagement with the Uzbek market and underscores the growing influence of Chinese intelligent equipment in countries along the "Belt and Road Initiative" routes.
Uzbekistan is a key agricultural nation in Central Asia with abundant chili cultivation resources, driving a steadily increasing demand for equipment dedicated to deep chili processing and natural pigment extraction. Since entering the Uzbek market in 2017, Huatai Group has undertaken over 40 local oil and fat processing projects, playing a pivotal role in upgrading local technologies for oil processing and natural product extraction.
The 300 TPD chili pigment extraction system shipped in this instance represents a comprehensive solution designed by Huatai Group specifically for the chili red pigment extraction process, tailored to the client's raw material characteristics and production capacity requirements. Utilizing a continuous extraction process, the equipment ensures highly efficient pigment recovery, making it ideal for industrial-scale production. It also features an intelligent control system that enables automated process monitoring and energy consumption optimization.
Huatai remains committed to its internationalization strategy. Centered on technological innovation and high-quality service, the company continues to provide global clients with efficient, energy-saving, and intelligent solutions for grain, oil, and plant extraction machinery. As the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project advances, Uzbekistan’s status as a Central Asian transportation hub will become increasingly prominent. Huatai Group intends to leverage this strategic opportunity to further expand its presence in Central Asia and neighboring markets, contributing significantly to the global reach of Chinese intelligent equipment.
