GB2464806A

GB2464806A - Kava extract production

Info

Publication number: GB2464806A
Application number: GB0918058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byung Woo Min
Original assignee: MARIGOLD INTERNAT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: MARIGOLD INTERNAT Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-31
Filing date: 2009-10-15
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-15
Also published as: GB0918058D0; GB2464806B

Abstract

A method of preparing a kava liquid extract from fresh kava root pieces is disclosed. The pieces (preferably 200kg) are held in a basket (15) within an impermeable container (1). Water, preferably 1,200 litres, heated to preferably 30-40°C is circulated for preferably 1-2 hours through the pieces and in is then drained and filtered. The water must not be heated above 60°C. The pieces are preferably diced to form cubes approximately 10mm x 10mm x 10mm in size. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a water impermeable outer container, a water permeable inner container, a water heater and a pump.

Description

KAVA EXTRACT PRODUCTION METHOD & APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the production of a kava extract from the root of the kava plant, the extract being used as a drink in Fiji, Australia, and other Pacific localities.

Background Art

The traditional method of making a kava extract as a drink, is to take the dried root of the kava plant and grind it into a powder. The powder is then placed in a nylon stocking or similar water-pervious flexible bag, and the bag kneaded within a water-filled vessel so that the chemical constituents of the powdered kava root are infused into the cold water. One of the drawbacks of this method is that the kneading process requires some considerable skill. Another problem is that for a high yield, the powder produced from the kava root must be very fine. However, this fine powder is inflammable and thus constitutes a potential fire hazard.

Over the years various different methods have been used to produce kava extract for drink and these have included the use of solvents such as ethanol and acetone and also techniques such as freeze-drying the kava root in order to assist in shattering the root material.

It is thought that none of these prior art methods of producing kava extract is particularly suited for large-scale commercial production.

Genesis of the Invention The genesis of the present invention is a desire to provide large-scale commercial production of kava extract so that the extract may be immediately enjoyed from bottled stock, thereby saving the pre-consumption preparation time spent hitherto on producing the kava extract by persons wishing to drink the kava extract. In this way the popularity of kava extract as a drink may be increased.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of producing a kava root extract, said method comprising the steps of: (i) cutting kava root material into a plurality of small pieces, (ii) placing said kava root pieces into a water permeable inner container, (iii) immersing said permeable inner container in water held in an outer water impermeable container, (iv) maintaining said water at a temperature above room temperature and less than approximately 60°C whilst circulating said water through said inner container, and (v) after continuing step (iv) for a predetermined period of time, separating said circulated water from said kava root pieces, whereby said separated circulated water forms said kava root extract.

Preferably the kava root material is fresh rather than dried, the water is maintained at a temperature of 30-40°C, and a pump is used to circulate the water.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed there is disclosed apparatus when used to produce a kava extract, said apparatus comprising a water impermeable outer container, a water permeable inner container located within said outer container, heater means associated with said container to heat water contained in said container, and pipework leading from said outer container to a pump and from said pump to said outer container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a container which may be used to produce kava extract.

Detailed Descriition As seen in Fig. 1, an outer, water-impermeable container 1 has a cylindrical side wall 2, a base 3 and an open top 4. The container 1 also has a pivoted lid 5 which, when closed, preferably substantially seals the outer container 1.

Centrally located within the outer container 1 and spaced above the base 3 is a basket support 6 which includes an annular horizontal flange 7 and an inner upstanding cylindrical flange 8. The basket support 6 is connected to a central post by means of three radially extending ribs 9. The basket support 6 is positioned above the base 3 of the outer container 1 by means of a tubular support 11.

A liquid inlet pipe 12 extends through the base 3 and has a nozzle 13 at its open end which discharges into the centre of the basket support 7. A heater 14 is located within the outer vessel 1 and is supported just above the base 3. The heater 14 is preferably a coiled electrical element of an immersion heater, but it can take the form of a tube through which a heated fluid medium such as steam or hot water is passed.

Located within the outer container 1 is a water-permeable inner container 15 which preferably takes the form of a wire mesh basket. The inner container 15 has a mesh cylindrical outer wall 16, a mesh bottom 17 and a mesh cylindrical inner wall 18 which extends upwardly from the bottom 17. The inner cylindrical wall 18 has an open lower end and a closed top 19 with a central hole 20 sized to engage with the central post 10. The top 19 is provided with a pair of lugs 21 which facilitate the attachment of lifting hooks (not illustrated) which enable the inner container or basket to be lowered into, and removed from, the outer container 1.

The diameter of the inner cylindrical wall 18 is sized to fit closely about the upstanding cylindrical flange 8. The waIl 18 is guided into engagement with the flange 8 by means of inclined upper surfaces of the radial ribs 9. It will be seen that the longitudinal axis of the inner wall 1 8 is aligned with the nozzle 1 3.

The container 1 is provided with a system for circulating in closed fashion liquid contained within the outer container 1. The system includes a pump 22, the discharge of which is connected to the inlet pipe 12. The inlet pipe 12 has a diameter of the order of 100mm and its nozzle 13 has a diameter in the order of 50mm. In the base 3 of the outer container 1 is located an outlet port 23 which connects to a return pipe 24 which is connected to the inlet of the pump 22 in order to close the liquid circulation system. The diameter of the outlet port 23 and return pipe 24 is in the order of 150mm.

The abovementioned apparatus is substantially as disclosed in Australian Patent Application No. 48493/97 and published under No. AU 199748493 Al which has been used by the present applicant and inventor to extract bone marrow from animal bones such as beef and lamb bones. However, the inventor has unexpectedly discovered that the abovementioned apparatus has utility in a new and unrelated use, namely the production of a kava extract.

In this connection it should be noted that the abovementioned apparatus when used to produce bone marrow extract is operated at a temperature in excess of 100°C and therefore functions in a manner analogous to a pressure cooker which is therefore provided with a pressure release valve 25 extending from the lid 5. However, the present inventor has found that kava extract is liable to become unstable at temperatures exceeding 60°C and thus the use of a pressure cooker-type apparatus is contra-indicated.

In operation to produce kava extract, the outer container 1, which preferably has a capacity of 1,500 litres, is filled with cold water to the level indicated by "L" which corresponds to a volume of cold water of approximately 1,200 litres. Fresh kava root, which is preferably not dried, is cut up or diced into small pieces which preferably take the form of cubes having a size of approximately 10mm x 10mm x 10mm.

These pieces of kava root, which in total typically weigh in the vicinity of 200kg, are then placed into the basket 15. Then the basket 15 is lowered into the outer container 1. The pump 22 is switched on so as to circulate the water and the heater 14 is also switched on so as to raise the temperature of the circulating water to a temperature which is elevated above room temperature but below 60°C and is preferably in the range of 30-40°C. Preferably the circulation continues for one or two hours. Then the pump 22 and heater 14 are turned off, the basket 15 removed from the container 1 and the container 1 emptied, preferably by means of a 3 way valve (not illustrated) in the return pipe 24 which includes a filter or strainer. The 3 way valve leads to a surge tank for holding the extract.

Clearly the pressure release valve 25 is not required since the heated circulated water is well below the boiling point, however, it does provide a useful safety measure in the event that the temperature controller of the heater 14 should malfunction.

The above described processing of the fresh kava root material is advantageous since the active ingredients are present in the macerated root stock as microscopic drops. These microscopic drops are dispersed by the circulating water and thereby infused into the circulating water which, as a result, has a greenish somewhat milky appearance rather than the traditional grey colouration of kava extract made by the traditional method. Furthermore, the kava extract produced by the abovedescribed use of the apparatus of Fig. 1 is thought to have a higher kavalacton content than a kava extract produced by the traditional method.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the volume of circulated water can be in the range of from approximately 150 litres to approximately 15,000 litres and the mass of kava root pieces can be in the range of from approximately 50kg to approximately 500kg.

Similarly, the time for the water circulation can be from approximately 1 hour (especially if the water is initially heated) to approximately 1 0 hours but is preferably 2 hours depending on the pump horsepower (preferably 10-20 horsepower).

The term "comprising" (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including" or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of producing a kava root extract, said method comprising the steps of: (i) cutting kava root material into a plurality of small pieces, (ii) placing said kava root pieces into a water permeable inner container, (iii) immersing said permeable inner container in water held in an outer water impermeable container, (iv) maintaining said water at a temperature above room temperature and less than approximately 60°C whilst circulating said water through said inner container, and (v) after continuing step (iv) for a predetermined period of time, separating said circulated water from said kava root pieces, whereby said separated circulated water forms said kava root extract.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said kava root material is substantially fresh and not dried.
3. The method as claimed in claims 1 or 2 including the further step of: (vi) heating said circulating water to be within the range of from approximately 30°C to approximately 40°C.
4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 including the further step of: (vii) circulating said water by means of a pump located outside of said outer container and connected thereto by pipework.
5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 including the further step of: (viii) straining or filtering said separated circulated water.
6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 including the further step of: (ix) dicing said kava root into approximately cube shaped pieces having an edge length of approximately 10mm.
7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 wherein the mass of said kava root pieces is in the range of approximately 50kg to approximately 500kg, preferably approximately 200kg, and the volume of said circulated water is in the range of from approximately 150 litres to approximately 15,000 litres, preferably 1,500 litres.
8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 wherein said predetermined time is from approximately 1 hour to approximately 10 hours, preferably 2 hours.
9. A method of producing a kava extract, said method being substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.
10. Apparatus when used to produce a kava extract, said apparatus comprising a water impermeable outer container, a water permeable inner container located within said outer container, heater means associated with said container to heat water contained in said container, and pipework leading from said outer container to a pump and from said pump to said outer container.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said inner container comprises a wire mesh basket.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said basket is substantially annular having inner and outer substantially cylindrical walls and said pipework leading from said pump to said outer container is aligned substantially with the central longitudinal axis of said inner cylindrical wall.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10-12 wherein said heater means comprises an electric immersion heater located within said outer container.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10-12 wherein said heater means comprises a thermally conductive tube.
15. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9-14 wherein said outer container has a lid which, when closed, substantially seals said container.
16. Apparatus when used to produce a kava extract, said apparatus being substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.