ABSTRACT
Ultrafiltration of Cyclopia genistoides extract was optimised to increase its benzophenone and xanthone content as quantified using HPLC-DAD. Regenerated cellulose (RC) and polyethersulphone membranes with molecular weight cut-offs of 10 and 30â¯kDa were evaluated in terms of compound enrichment, permeate flux and permeate yield, using dead-end ultrafiltration. Compound enrichment was subsequently optimised using the 10â¯kDa RC membrane and tangential flow ultrafiltration (TFU). The effect of extract composition on compound enrichment, due to natural variation in the source material, was assessed using extracts from different batches of plant material (nâ¯=â¯11). Transmembrane pressure and feed flow rate affected (pâ¯<â¯0.05) process efficiency (mean permeate flux, compound enrichment and membrane fouling). TFU achieved ≥20% enrichment of the target compounds, proving its suitability for preparation of a nutraceutical extract of C. genistoides.
