Application of nano-plant powder ball milling preparation technology
China Hydraulic Briquetting Press，Automatic Hydraulic Briquetting Press，Hydraulic Briquetting Press. Jiangyin Hangli Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.hanglimachinery.com
The development of nano-plant powder products, such as nano-pollen, fungi, and other natural plant-based health foods, remains slow. Valuable medicinal plants like ginseng, reishi spores, pearls, and cordyceps, as well as toxic medicinal plants such as sphagnum moss, are still in the early stages of research. These projects face both scientific and technical challenges. While some scientific studies on nano-plant powders have been published, this article focuses on the technical application aspects.
To address these challenges, Lu Qing and Qu Yuan developed two innovative technologies: multi-dimensional oscillating high-energy nano-ball milling and multi-level grading nano-ball milling. The former has already received a patent, while the latter is now in the trial phase. These technologies have significantly advanced the preparation of nano-plant powders, making it more efficient and effective.
1. **Nano-Plant Ball Milling Technology**
- **Multi-Dimensional Oscillating High-Energy Nano-Ball Milling**
This technology uses rapid, multi-directional movement of the grinding tank to create intense impact forces. The irregular motion of the grinding media increases the impact energy and reduces blind spots, leading to more efficient particle size reduction. This method can achieve particle sizes as small as 10 nm, with improved uniformity. It's a closed system that allows for better control during the process. Qinhuangdao Taiji Ring Nano-product Co., Ltd. has successfully used this equipment to develop nano-foods like nano-tea and nano-coffee, as well as nano-medicines such as external pastes, and has started promoting its applications.
This equipment is versatile and can be used for a wide range of materials, including plants, metals, non-metals, alloys, minerals, and even medicinal substances. For flammable or explosive materials, protective gases like argon, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide must be added.
- **Multi-Level Grading Nano-Ball Milling**
This technology mimics the movement of a bartender’s arm, enabling repeated, bidirectional motion that enhances the collision probability between grinding media. This leads to higher energy impacts, allowing micron-sized particles to be continuously ground into nanoscale particles. The process involves multiple cavities and varying sizes of grinding media, resulting in a graded and finely milled product. This open system supports continuous feeding and discharging, as well as dry and wet grinding. It can be applied to various materials, including animals, plants, minerals, metals, ceramics, and non-flammable organic and inorganic substances.
2. **Challenges in Nano-Plant Powder Preparation**
- **Temperature Control**
High-energy ball milling generates significant heat, which can cause thermal degradation of plant materials. To prevent coking and carbonization, temperature management is critical. While liquid nitrogen cooling is an option, it introduces impurities and increases costs. Instead, water-cooled jackets are used to maintain stable temperatures during processing.
- **Moisture Content**
Plant materials typically contain 5–10% moisture, increasing their toughness. Drying at 55°C for 4–6 hours before milling improves brittleness. Fresh plant materials can be processed by first creating a slurry, then using high-energy ball milling followed by spray drying to produce nano-powders.
- **Sticky and Tough Materials**
Plants with high sugar or oil content tend to stick together during milling. Wet grinding with water helps reduce adhesion. After ball milling, spray drying is used to retain the original properties of the plant material.
- **Pollution Issues**
Steel balls used in ball milling can contaminate the product. Using zirconia balls and zirconia-lined tanks minimizes contamination. Zirconium, a trace element beneficial to human bones and teeth, is safe in small quantities.
- **Particle Agglomeration**
Nanoparticles have high surface energy and tend to clump when exposed to water. Adding dispersants or surface modifiers during milling improves dispersion and prevents sedimentation. This ensures better solubility and stability in food and health products.
- **Particle Size and Uniformity**
Particle size is generally measured as an average diameter. For nano-plant powders, a range of 60–180 nm is ideal, ensuring cell wall disruption without excessive damage. A three-step method—traditional crushing, air jet milling, and high-energy ball milling—helps achieve consistent results while reducing processing time and pollution.
3. **Future Development and Prospects**
Plants are rich in nutrients, vitamins, amino acids, and medicinal compounds. Traditional physical methods like ball milling are preferred for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as uneven particle size, pollution, and long processing times persist. New ball milling technologies have emerged to overcome these issues.
The nano-plant powders produced using multi-dimensional and multi-level grading ball milling are created through a purely physical process, preserving the integrity of the plant components. This makes them highly suitable for use in food, health products, cosmetics, and traditional medicine.
Japan was among the first to adopt ultra-fine technology in plant-based medicine, but we were the pioneers in applying high-energy nano-ball milling to plant and herbal materials. This innovative technique not only enhances solubility, absorption, and bioavailability but also creates new opportunities in the food and healthcare industries. With its fast-acting, efficient, and long-lasting properties, nano-plant powder is set to become a key player in the future of plant-based health solutions.