QuaTro - Maintaining quality through sustainable drying of medicinal plants
Duration: 1 November 2024 – 31 October 2027
Funding reference: BMEL’s Sustainable Renewable Resources Funding Programme (FPNR 2024) 2223NR066B
Background:
The idea for the project was put to us by Friedrich-Wilhelms University. ‘Medicinal plants’ may initially sound somewhat outside the remit of the Faculty of Energy Technology. However, our contribution will focus on the drying process, which is particularly energy-intensive. This, in turn, ties in well with our activities in the paper industry, where low-carbon drying is also a subject of research.
The project:
The active ingredient content, aroma and colour of medicinal products made from native medicinal plants (chamomile, valerian, thyme, lemon balm and many more) depend largely on the processes used after harvesting to process the plants into the final product for the consumer. These processes are to be investigated for their practical potential to improve quality, reduce costs and enable low-carbon energy supply
Objective:
The economically successful local cultivation of medicinal plants contributes to security of supply, whilst shorter transport routes and the use of low-carbon drying techniques support climate protection. Both aspects underpin the three pillars of sustainability: ecology, economy and social responsibility.
Dr. Katharina Luhmer
Dr. Katharina Luhmer
Project partners:
University of Bonn, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Renewable Raw Materials; Prof. Dr Ralf Pude; www.inres.uni-bonn.de/nawaro/de
Symrise AG, Holzminden; Dr Jakob Ley; www.symrise.com/de
Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, subject area HAM2, Instrumental and Analytical Sensor Technology; Prof. Dr Stefanie Sielemann; www.hshl.de
Contact persons at the Institute:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Valder, Project Manager
Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Dickler, Group Leader for Sustainable Energy Systems
