Boulder Daily
Camera
7/04/2010
Lyons Woman
Studies How Radio Waves Affect Trees
by
Bruce Leaf
A Lyons area woman with no
academic pedigree has published a scientific paper in the International
Journal of Forestry Research about the adverse effects of radio waves
on aspen seedlings.
Katie Haggerty, who lives
north of Steamboat Mountain, found in a preliminary experiment done
near her house that aspens shielded from the waves were healthier than
those that were not.
"I found that the shielded
seedlings produced more growth, longer shoots, bigger leaves and more
total leaf area. The shielded group produced 60 percent more leaf area
and 74 percent more shoot length than a mock-shielded group," she said.
She began studying
electromagnetic fields 20 years ago. In 2005, when she noticed that her
geraniums were stunted, she put the plants in a Faraday cage, an
enclosure covered by a metal screen that blocks radio frequency energy,
and soon found that the plants had larger leaves and were growing more
vigorously.
"When I heard about the aspen
decline in Colorado, I thought it would be a really good test case for
this hypothesis, so I thought, 'OK, I'll try them,'" Haggerty said.
"And the other thing is that people like aspen trees. They're
photogenic and it would get people's attention if I actually found
something."
Thousands of acres of aspen
trees in Colorado have died in the past decade, likely due to drought
conditions, according to U.S. Forest Service researchers.
The atmosphere is saturated
with radio waves from numerous sources, most of which come from daily
life in the modern world. Cell phones, radios, televisions, weather
radar, microwave ovens and microwave communications are a few of the
devices that emit radio waves.
"It's a stew of various
frequencies and signal types," she said.
In spring 2007, she planted
the aspen seedlings -- one group in a shielded Faraday cage, another
group in a cage wrapped in fiberglass that did not block radio waves
and a third set was unprotected altogether. By the end of July, there
were measureable differences in growth, and at the beginning of
October, she noticed differences in coloration.
"The leaves in the shielded
group produced striking fall colors, while the two exposed groups
stayed light green or yellow and were affected by areas of dead leaf
tissue," Haggerty said. "The shielded leaves turned red, which was a
good sign. The unshielded leaves in both exposed groups had extensive
decay, and some leaves fell off while they were still green.
"It appears that there may be
negative effects on the health and growth of aspens from the radio
frequency background."
She pointed out that her
study was a preliminary experiment that only suggests these effects in
aspens and doesn't prove anything.
"An experiment with multiple
repetitions, meaning multiple shielded and mock cages, and statistical
analysis of results is needed to test the hypothesis," she said.
Still, her work caught the
eye of Wayne Shepperd of the Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research
Station, who invited her to present her findings at a regional
conference on forest decline in Fort Collins in 2008.
"People were interested
because someone was looking in a new direction," she said.
The paper was later accepted
for presentation at the North American Forest Ecology Workshop at Utah
State University in Logan last June. As a result of that presentation,
her paper was accepted to be published in a special edition from the
workshop of the peer-reviewed online International Journal of Forestry
Research.
Journal Editor Terry Sharik,
a Utah State University professor, was unaware Haggerty lacked a
doctorate or a master's or even a bachelor's degree, noting that a
researcher's educational background is not known when a manuscript is
submitted for review.
"I suspect that is not very
common," he said.
Even though her work is
preliminary, Sharik said, "If she turns out to be right following
subsequent investigations by others, the results could be very
significant and cause people to rethink the current notion that
anthropogenic sources of radio waves are fairly harmless to the
environment and by extension to humans."
www.technologyreview.com
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A Sticker Makes Solar Panels Work
Better
by
Kevin Bullis
A startup's polymer sticker
increases power output by 10 percent, and can be applied to panels that
are already installed.
The power
output of solar panels can
be boosted by 10 percent just by applying a big transparent sticker to
the front. Developed by a small startup called Genie Lens
Technologies,
the sticker is a polymer film embossed with microstructures that bend
incoming sunlight. The result: the active materials in the panels
absorb more light, and convert more of it into electricity.
The
technology is cheap and could lower the cost per watt of solar
power. Also, unlike other technologies developed to improve solar panel
performance, this one can be added to panels that have already been
installed.
The polymer
film does three main things, says Seth Weiss,
CEO and cofounder of Genie Lens, based in Englewood, CO. It prevents
light from reflecting off the surface of solar panels. It traps light
inside the semiconductor materials that absorb light and convert it to
electricity. And it redirects incoming light so that rather than
passing through the thin semiconductor material, it travels along its
surface, increasing the chances it will be absorbed.
Researchers
designed the microstructures that accomplish this by
using algorithms that model how rays of light behave as they enter the
film and encounter various surfaces within the solar panel--the
protective glass cover, the semiconductor material, and the back
surface of the panel--throughout the day. The key was bending the light
the optimal amount, enough that it enters the solar panel at an angle,
but not so much of an angle that the light reflects off and is lost. If
light does reflect off either the glass or semiconductor surfaces, the
film redirects much of it back into the solar panel.
Tests at the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that the
film increases power output on average between 4 percent and 12.5
percent, with the best improvement under cloudy conditions, when
incoming light is diffuse. Adding the film--either in the factory,
which is optimal, or on solar panels already in use--increases the
overall cost of solar panels by between 1 percent and 10 percent. But
the panels would then produce enough additional electricity to justify
the price. What's more, increasing the power output of a solar panel
decreases other costs--such as shipping and installation--because fewer
solar panels are required at each installation, says Travis Bradford, a
solar industry analyst and president of the Prometheus Institute.
Yet the
overall benefit depends on how long the polymer film lasts.
The cost per kilowatt hour of solar power is figured by estimating the
total power output of the solar panel over its 20- to 25-year warranty.
If the film is scratched, attracts dust, or becomes discolored after
years or decades in the sun, it could actually lower power output over
time. "Durability is a big issue," Bradford says. The materials used in
solar panels today have been tested over decades, and although Weiss
says his company's films will last for 20 years, their durability
hasn't been verified.
Meanwhile,
many solar panel companies are developing related
approaches for increasing the amount of light a solar panel will
absorb. For example, Innovalitight, based in Sunnyvale, CA, has
developed a method for printing silicon nanoparticles that can improve
the amount
of light conventional crystalline silicon solar panels absorb. It's
working with two major solar manufacturers, JA Solar and Yingl, to
commercialize the technology. Unlike many of these other approaches,
which are developed for particular kinds of solar panel materials, the
Genie Lens films can be applied to any type of solar panel--including
crystalline silicon and newer thin-film solar panel technology.
arxiv.org/abs/1006.5754: Gravitatomagnetic
Analogs of Electric Transformers
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Physicist
Predicts
Gravitational
Analogue
Of
Electrical Transformers
The
gravitational equivalent of an electrical transformer could reveal
bizarre new properties of space-time.
In 1831,
Michael Faraday wrapped two wires around opposite sides of an iron
doughnut and found that if he passed a current through one, it
immediately induced a current in the other. Faraday's law of induction
has since became a fundamental principle of electromagnetism and the
operating law behind electrical transformers.
That's of
more than passing interest to physicists studying the properties of
space-time. It turns out that the equations of general relatively are
formally analogous to Maxwell's laws of electromagnetism (at least,
when they are studied in the weak, linear limit).
So all the
results from classical electrodynamics can be equally applied to
general relativity. This allows astrophysicists to define
electrogravitic and gravitomagnetic fields that are analogous to
electric and magnetic fields. And this kind of thinking has led to a
number of predictions such as the well known frame-dragging effect in
which space-time is dragged by a massive spinning object.
But today,
John Swain at Northeastern University in Boston points out that despite
the extensive work in this area, nobody has translated the simple idea
of Faraday's electrical transformer into the gravitational domain, an
oversight that he now corrects.
The analogy
to a primary winding in Swain's model is a beam of particles traveling
in a circle. This generates a "magnetogravitic flux" that can be picked
up by a secondary winding, essentially a giant loop antenna.
That's an
interesting idea that raises all kinds of questions about the nature of
space-time. For example, an electromagnetic transformer requires a
core, a doughnut of iron, thats properties are defined by its magnetic
permeability. What manner of stuff might play the role of this core in
a gravitational transformer and what on Earth might be gravitational
permeability?
Then there's
the question of where in the universe these kinds of transformers might
exist. It's possible that the orbit of matter close to a black hole
might provide the right kind of mass-energy currents.
And on Earth,
it might just be possible that the Large Hadron Collider could produce
mass-energy currents that are large enough to test the idea. How might
the effect manifest itself?
We know that
the LHC produces large amounts of electromagnetic synchrotron radiation
as the paths of its charged particles are bent into a circle. Swain
suggests that his idea could be tested by looking for "gravitational
synchrotron radiation". In other words, near field gravitational wave
effects that could be picked up by sensitive interferometers or
Weber-type resonant bars.
Swain says
there's as much reason to imagine a gravitational analogue to
permeability as there is to think that permeability itself ought to
exist--after all there is no way to derive the permeability of a
material from first principles.
As he says
himself: "Only experiment can tell!"
www.physorg.com/news145535595.html
November
10th, 2008
White Vans Goes Green: Novel
Spoiler Design Reduces Fuel Consumption
As if the drivers of mini
vans and utility vehicles needed any more encouragement to drive fast
between jobs, US researchers have designed a new rear spoiler for
bluff-backed vehicles that can reduce drag and lift significantly.
Writing in the International Journal of Vehicle Design, the team
describes how the new spoiler could improve fuel consumption as well as
vehicle handling.
Inchul Kim of Metacomp
Technologies, in Agoura Hills, California, working with Xin Geng and
Hualei Chen of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, explain that a
traveling vehicle experiences two main aerodynamic forces.
The first is drag, or air
resistance, and is in the opposite direction to the movement. The
second force is lift, which is perpendicular to the drag and to the
road.
The greater the drag, the
more energy is needed to propel the vehicle and so the more fuel that
it uses to cover the same ground at a given speed. Lift reduces the
amount of friction between the tires and the road and so lowers
traction. This also reduces efficiency as well as deleteriously
affecting handling.
Kim and colleagues have used
the principles of fluid dynamics, which were first developed in the
nineteenth century, to create a computer model of a moving mini-van, on
which they could test a spoiler design for the twenty-first century.
"The scientific principle and
geometry of the new rear-spoiler are completely different from those of
conventional spoilers that have been used so far," the researchers
explain. Conventional spoilers resemble an inverted plane wing and
generally working by increasing the downward force on the back of the
vehicle as well as improving the flow of air across the bluff rear. The
new rear spoiler resembles a wave in profile rather than a wing and
acts like a diffuser when it is attached to the back of a vehicle. The
air pressure on the back of a vehicle with the new spoiler is higher
than that on the back of a vehicle without it, the researchers explain.
The team's calculations
suggest that the spoiler can reduce drag by 5% and switch lift from
positive to negative at 67 mph. Given that more than two-thirds of a
vehicle's power is consumed overcoming drag at highway driving speeds,
this could translate into a significant fuel saving of up to several
miles per gallon. This could amount to a saving of several hundred
dollars a year depending on mileage as well as a concomitant reduction
in carbon emissions.
Equally, however, the
increase in vehicle power could be exploited by an unscrupulous driver
to push the mini-van to the speed limit.
"The new rear spoiler can be
applied to other minivans, vans, sports-utility-vehicles and buses,"
the team says,
"With the new spoiler attached, the vehicles having a bluff back would
have not only a higher mileage but also better stability."
The researchers are
currently optimizing the design for further performance improvements.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/5353809/Worlds-first-battery-fuelled-by-air.html
20 May 2009
World's First Battery Fueled by
Air
The world's first battery fuelled by
air - with 10 times the storage capacity of conventional cells - has
been unveiled.
Scientists say the
revolutionary 'STAIR' (St Andrews Air) battery could now pave the way
for a new generation of electric cars, laptops and mobile phones.
The cells are charged in a
traditional way but as power is used or 'discharged' an open mesh
section of battery draws in oxygen from the surrounding air.
This oxygen reacts with a
porous carbon component inside the battery, which creates more energy
and helps to continually 'charge' the cell as it is being discharged.
By replacing the traditional
chemical constituent, lithium cobalt oxide, with porous carbon and
oxygen drawn from the air, the cell is much lighter than current
batteries.
And as the cycle of air helps
re-charge the battery as it is used, it has a greater storage capacity
than other similar-sized cells and can emit power up to 10 times longer.
Professor Peter Bruce of the
Chemistry Department at the University of St Andrews, said: "The
benefits are it's much smaller and lighter so better for transporting
small applications.
"The size is also crucial for
anyone trying to develop electric cars as they want to keep weight down
as much as possible.
"Storage is also important in
the development of green power. You need to store electricity because
wind and solar power is intermittent."
http://www.physorg.com/news156446277.html
March 16, 2009
Engineer Devises Ways to Improve
Gas Mileage
By
Tony Fitzpatrick
A
mechanical engineer at Washington University in St. Louis is developing
techniques that will lessen our monetary pain at the pump by reducing
the drag of vehicles — planes, autos and trucks. Drag is an aerodynamic
force that is the result of resistance a body encounters when it moves
in a liquid or gaseous medium (such as air). Reduction in drag means
less fuel would be required to overcome the fluid resistance
encountered by the moving vehicle.
Working
with undergraduate and graduate students, Ramesh K. Agarwal, Ph.D, the
William Palm Professor of Engineering at Washington University in St.
Louis, has successfully demonstrated that the drag of airplane wings
and cars/trucks can be reduced by employing the active flow control
(AFC) technology. The idea behind the AFC is to deploy actuators on the
surface of these vehicles to modify the flow in a way that the overall
resistance is reduced. Using computational fluid dynamics software,
Agarwal has found that the actuators modify the flow, which results in
drag reduction, which in turn reduces the fuel amount needed.
"The
most promising actuators are the so called synthetic jet or oscillatory
jet actuators which are embedded in the surface of the body (an
airplane wing for example), and essentially perform injection and
suction of the fluid from the surface in a periodic manner," said
Agarwal. He has demonstrated that the transonic drag of an airplane
wing can be reduced by 12 to 15 percent with the incorporation of
three-ounce actuators, about 20 to 30 spaced optimally on the surface
of the wing.
"We use
the genetic algorithms and artificial neural net algorithms to optimize
the placement of actuators." Agarwal said. His students have recently
applied the concept on cars and trucks and have achieved 15 to 18
percent reduction in drag by placing the actuators on the back surface
of these vehicles. Although the technology has not yet been deployed on
any commercially available vehicle, it is being researched and
investigated by airplane and automobile companies worldwide.
"There
are approximately 100 million cars and trucks on the road in the United
States alone and hundreds of millions more worldwide. Similarly there
will be a substantial increase in air transportation worldwide. The AFC
technology can therefore play an important role in fuel conservation
and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," said Agarwal, one of the
most decorated engineers in the United States and a fellow of ten
national science and engineering societies including the American
Association for Advancement of Science, American Physical Society,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers.
Agarwal
will receive the James B. Eads Award from the Academy of Science of St.
Louis on April 30, 2009. It is the latest of several distinguished
awards he has received in just the past three years. An internationally
renowned scholar who is considered a leading authority in aerodynamics
and computational fluid dynamics, he has been the recipient of almost
all the major national and international awards in these fields.
In 2007,
he received the Gold Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society of U.K.,
an award given to fewer than five Americans in more than fifty years.
In 2008, he received the "Aerodynamics Award" for outstanding
contributions to Aerodynamics; it is the highest national award given
by the AIAA in Aerodynamics. In 2008, he was also the recipient of
William Littlewood Award given jointly by AIAA and SAE (Society of
Automotive Engineers). Established in 1971, the award has only been
given twice to a member of academia including Agarwal. It is normally
given to CEOs and senior executives of aerospace companies worldwide.
He received the "Fluids Engineering Award" in 2001 from ASME; the
highest national technical award given by ASME in fluid dynamics.
Agarwal
is also working for the United States Air Force on development of
techniques to predict heat transfer and to design improved thermal
protection systems for the next generation of space access vehicles.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7952015/Traditional-Chinese-medicine-could-boost-cancer-treatment.html
18 Aug 2010
Traditional
Chinese
Medicine Could Boost Cancer Treatment
by
Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent
An ancient 1,800 year old
Chinese herbal remedy may boost the effects of cancer treatment as well
as reduce its side-effects, new research suggests.
The formula used in the
experiment consists of four herbs- extract of peonies, a pretty purple
flower called skullcap, together with liquorice and fruit from a
buckthorn tree Photo: AP
Known as Huang Qin Tang, the
mix of plant extracts, roots and fruit has been used for hundreds of
years to treat stomach upsets and nausea.
But now researchers have
found that it not only does the same for patients on chemotherapy, it
also increases the effectiveness of the treatment.
The strong drugs used in
chemotherapy cause a number of toxic side effects because it kills
healthy cells as well as cancerous ones.
This is particularly true in
the digestive tract or intestines.
The team from Yale University
found that in mice the use of the Huang Qin Tang mixture helped protect
the intestine lining and helped it recover more quickly.
It also reduced inflammation
and boosted the effectiveness of the chemotherapy to kill tumours.
The formula used in the
experiment consists of four herbs – extract of peonies, a pretty purple
flower called skullcap, together with liquorice and fruit from a
buckthorn tree.
The researchers treated mice
with colon and rectal cancer with chemotherapy, which shrank tumours
but also caused massive destruction in the intestinal lining of the
animals.
After a few days of treatment
with PHY906, the medicine restored the damaged intestinal linings in
the mice.
The patients lost less weight
and saw more cancer cells killed.
"Chemotherapy causes great
distress for millions of patients, but PHY-906 has multiple
biologically active compounds which can act on multiple sources of
discomfort," said Professor Yung-Chi Cheng, lead author of the study
published in Science Translational Medicine.
"This combination of
chemotherapy and herbs represents a marriage of Western and Eastern
approaches to the treatment of cancer.
"We will continue to refine
these processes to better study and understand the sophisticated nature
of herbal medicines. Revisiting history may lead us to discovering
future medicines."
Patents including "Huang Qin Tang"
CN101670062
Chinese
herbal compound preparation for treating protozoal disease in animal
blood
Abstract -- The invention discloses a Chinese
herbal compound preparation for treating protozoal disease in animal
blood, which comprises the following raw materials by weight parts: 4
parts of radix stemona, 2-3parts of crytomium fortunei, 2-3 parts of
southernwood, 2-3 parts of khosam, 2-3 parts of antifeverile dichroa
root, 2-4 parts of radix astragali, 2-4 parts of codonopsis pilosula,
2-4 parts of dwarflilyturf, 2-4 parts of schisandra, 2 parts of
copperas, 2 parts of Huang qin, 2 parts of gardenia, 2 parts of
artemisia capillaris, 2 parts of radix saposhnikoviae, 2 parts of
cogongrass rhizome and1 part of glycyrrhiza. The Chinese herbs are
mixed according to a dose prescription and ground by a drug grinder
with a 60-mesh sieve so as to obtain the Chinese herbal compound
preparation. The Chinese herbal compound preparation is in field
manufacture and field use or is ground to be packaged for spare. The
Chinese herbal compound preparation has favorable efficacy for
disinsecting, detoxifying, strengthening body resistance, eliminating
evils and mainly treating protozoal disease in animal blood including
equine babesiosis, ovine babesiosis and eperythrozoonosis, and has the
total cure rate of 94.8 percent by treating and observing 102 affected
animals.
WO2008119133
HERBAL
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING MISCARRIAGE
Abstract
-- The present
invention relates to a composition for the prophylactic or therapeutic
treatment of miscarriage, comprising the herbs: - Tu si zi (semen
cuscata), Du zhong (cortex eucommiae), Sang ji sheng (ramulus
sangjisheng), Bai zhu (rhizome atroctylodes macrocephala), and one or
more, or all of: - Sha ren (fructus seu semen amomi), Huang qin (radix
Scutellaria bidentate), Xiang fu (rhizome cyperi rotundi), and
optionally other herbs.
WO2005044281
BAICALIN
AND ITS DERIVATIVES AS A TREATMENT FOR SARS CORONA VIRUS INFECTION OR
OTHER RELATED INFECTIONS
Abstract -- The present invention relates to
a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of diseases
associated with viruses of the order Nidovirales of the family
Coronaviradae, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viruses
in humans and other animals. In particular, this invention relates to a
naturally occurring compound, namely, baicalin, extracted and purified
from the Chinese medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
(Chinese name: Huang Qin), that exhibits potent antiviral activity
against members of the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviradae
that infects humans and other animals; in particular, SARS viruses in
humans ("hSARS virus"). The invention also relates to a therapeutic
method, using pharmaceutical compositions comprising baicalin
compounds, for the treatment, amelioration, management or prevention of
diseases associated with members of the order Nidovirales of the family
Coronaviradae, such as hSARS.
US7605135
Baicalin
and its derivatives as a treatment for SARS coronavirus infection or
other related infections
Abstract -- The present invention relates to
a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of diseases
associated with viruses of the order Nidovirales of the family
Coronaviradae, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viruses
in humans and other animals. In particular, this invention relates to a
naturally occurring compound, namely, baicalin, extracted and purified
from the Chinese medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
(Chinese name: Huang Qin), that exhibits potent antiviral activity
against members of the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviradae
that infects humans and other animals; in particular, SARS viruses in
humans ("hSARS virus").; The invention also relates to a therapeutic
method, using pharmaceutical compositions comprising baicalin
compounds, for the treatment, amelioration, management or prevention of
diseases associated with members of the order Nidovirales of the family
Coronaviradae, such as hSARS.
US
2003185909
EP1358887
CA2382810
Composition
of
traditional chinese medicines for preventing and treating
cerebrovascular disease
Abstract
-- The present
invention provides a composition including at least six of the
following traditional Chinese medicines: Ren Shen, Dang Gui, Huang Qi,
Gan Cao, Chai Hu, Huang Lian, Tian Zhu Huang, Huang Qin. The
composition possesses pharmaceutical activities of inhibiting platelet
aggregation and prolonging bleeding time, and can be used in preventing
and treating a cerebrovascular disease.
US7005298
Micropropagation
and
production of phytopharmaceutical plants
Abstract -- The development of an in vitro
regeneration system that utilizes a plant growth regulator having
cytokinin activity for the induction of de novo shoots or somatic
embryos on explants of phytopharmaceutical plants is provided. Transfer
of the regenerated shoots or somatic embryos into a solid or liquid
medium with no plant growth regulators results in the rapid and
prolific growth of viable plantlets. The method and its modifications
are intended for application to all phytopharmaceutical plants, in
particular St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum cv. Anthos), Huang-qin
(Scutellaria baicalensis), Echinacea sp., Feverfew (Tanacetum
parthenium), garlic (Allium sp.) and the like. Furthermore, a process
for the uptake of nutrients, minerals or additives from the growth
medium and accumulation of these in the consumable biomass of plants,
hereafter referred to as phytofortification, is also described. This
process provides additives within a bioavailable form within plants and
renders nutrients and additives amenable for easy assimilation by the
human of livestock digestive systems.
US2002025348
WO0145725
TREATMENT
FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) AND RELATED CONDITIONS
Abstract -- Compositions, including
formulations, of plants for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel
Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and inflammatory and other related
conditions, such as arthritis, are disclosed. The formulations consist
of one or both of the two herbs Chen Pi Citrus reticulata and Wu Mei
Prunus mume, which, according to the invention, possess significant
cytokine TNF- alpha inhibitory activity. The formulations also may
include one or more of the following herbs which, according to the
invention, inhibit PGE2: Hou Po Magnoliae officinalis, Huang Bai
Phellodendron chinense, Huang Lian Coptis chinensis, Huo Xiang
Agastaches rugosa, Pao Jiang Zingiberis officinalis, Qin Pi Fraxinus
rynchophylla, and Zhi Gan Cao Glycyrhizae inflata.
CA2367957
MICROPROPAGATION
AND
PRODUCTION OF PHYTOPHARMACEUTICAL PLANTS
Abstract -- The development of an in vitro
regeneration system that utilizes a plant growth regulator having
cytokinin activity for the induction of de novo shoots or somatic
embryos on explants of phytopharmaceutical plants is provided. Transfer
of the regenerated shoots or somatic embryos into a solid or liquid
medium with no plant growth regulators results in the rapid and
prolific growth of viable plantlets. The method and its modifications
are intended for application to all phytopharmaceutical plants, in
particular St.John's wort (Hypericum perforatum cv. Anthos), Huang-qin
(Scutellaria baicalensis), Echinacea sp., Feverfew (Tanacetum
parthenium), garlic (Allium sp.) and the like.; Furthermore, a process
for the uptake of nutrients, minerals or additives from the growth
medium and accumulation of these in the consumable biomass of plants,
hereafter referred to as phytofortification, is also described. This
process provides additives within a bioavailable form within plants and
renders nutrients and additives amenable for easy assimilation by the
human of livestock digestive systems.
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/termites/research.htm
2003-03-26
CATNIP
Termites Repelled By Catnip Oil
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Known for its intoxicating effects on felines,
catnip
oil may also have a future in termite control. Recent experiments by
USDA
Forest Service researcher Chris Peterson show that catnip oil repels
and
even kills termites in a laboratory setting.
Peterson, a researcher with the Forest Service Southern Research
Station
(SRS), and fellow researcher Janice Ems-Wilson, a chemist at Valencia
Community
College in Orlando, FL, presented the results of their research at the
national meeting of the American Chemical Society held March 23 - 27 in
New Orleans.
An entomologist with the SRS Wood Products Insect Research unit in
Starkville,
MS, Peterson has been testing essential catnip oil as a possible
replacement
for the more toxic pesticides presently used to control termites.
Probably
the most common termite control method is treating the soil next to
wood
structures with chemical compounds: some of the active ingredients of
traditional
termiticides, such as chlordane and chlorpyrifos, have lost their
registrations
in the U.S. due to their toxicity. New, more eco-friendly compounds are
being sought to fill the void.
The search for new termiticidal products is active. "The USDA
Forest
Service routinely tests about three new termite formulations for
effectiveness
every year, with a new active ingredient tested about once in every two
years," said Peterson. "Natural compounds from plants, bacteria, and
fungi
could provide new commercial products that are less toxic to humans and
the environment."
For their termite study, Peterson and Ems-Wilson infused sand with
catnip
essential oil--the kind routinely sold in pet stores--to test the
effectiveness
of the oil as a barrier to termite tunneling. To test vertical
tunneling,
the researchers placed yellow pine sapwood in the bottom of a test tube
filled with sand. A two-inch barrier of catnip-treated sand separated
the
termites in the top layer of untreated sand from the pine. To test
horizontal
tunneling, the researchers constructed a barrier of treated sand across
the middle of a transparent box of sand, again with the tempting pine
placed
across the barrier from the termites. In both tests, catnip oil reduced
or eliminated termite tunneling.
Peterson and Ems-Wilson also tested the catnip oil for its
toxicity
to termites by treating them directly with a dilution of the oil,
fumigating
them, and exposing them to catnip-infused soil. The researchers
carefully
counted the termites in the multiple tests on barriers to make sure the
barrier-effect they found was not due to termite mortality.
"At higher concentrations, the oil does kill termites, but not as
effectively
as the commercial compounds currently used in soil treatments," said
Peterson.
"Our results show that catnip oil is a very effective deterrent to
termite
tunneling, with the effective doses tested much lower than those
reported
for similar natural products."
Unfortunately, catnip oil breaks down quickly in the environment.
The
chemicals now used to prevent termite infestation must remain effective
for more than five years in government testing. "There is the
inevitable
tradeoff," said Peterson. "Chemicals that last a long time also have
greater
potential for environmental damage. We hope that the active ingredients
in catnip oil can eventually be modified to last longer."
Peterson emphasizes that his experiments are preliminary: catnip
oil
has not been officially tested for safety and effectiveness in the
field.
"The other factor is cost," said Peterson. "Catnip oil is much too
expensive
to use at effective rates when compared to other compounds. Until a way
is found to produce the oil competitively and formulate it for
long-term
use, its only practical use would be for controlling isolated
populations
of termites."
The mission of the SRS Wood Products Insect Research unit is to
improve
the protection of wood products from subterranean termite damage,
define
the role of termites in forest ecosystems, and understand their impact
on forest health.
For more information:
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/termites/research.htm
Patents for Catnip
Taditional Chinese medicine
preparation for treating throat edema pain
CN101683476
Abstract -- The invention
belongs to medical technology field, the invention discloses a kind of
traditional Chinese medicine preparation medicament for treating throat
edema pain, the medicine uses radix scrophulariae, root of
large-flowered skullcap, great burdock achene, muscardine silkworm,
coptis, puffball fruiting body, mint, catnip, weeping forsythia
capsule, honeysuckle, radix isatidis, reed rhizome,balloonflower root
as materials and prepared according to different characteristics and
different proportion of each traditional Chinese medicine, the
invention has a distinctive formula, which can beused for treating
throat edema pain obviously, and the manufacture is simple and the
using is convenient, and the medicine is cheap in economy and the
medicine is easy to take.
Lupus III traditional Chinese medicine
composition
CN101675986
Abstract -- The present
invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Lupus
III traditional Chinese medicine composition mainly comprises the
following traditional Chinese medicine components byweight ratio: 3 to
10 cinnamomun cassia presl, 9 to 12 of raw radix astragali, stephania
tetrandra and clematis root, 5 to 15 of Chinese angelica, prepared
monkshood, bighead atractylodes rhizome, rehmanniae radix, fried
catnip, fired windproof, epimedium sagittatum and glutinous rehmannia,
9 to 24 of curcuma tuber, 15 to 25 of corn silk, coix lachryma-jobi and
black soya bean, 10 to 20 of keel and oyster, and 3 to 10 of licorice.
The present invention has the function of dispelling wind and warming
yang, dispelling cold and dehumidifying, and regulating and nourishing
yin and yang, which isused for treating 142 cases of systemic lupus
erythematosus, the results show: 47 cases of significantly effected, 79
cases of improvement, and 16 cases of null and void, and have no
serious toxic andside effect.
Lupus I traditional Chinese medicine
composition
CN101675967
Abstract -- The present
invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Lupus I
traditional Chinese medicine composition mainly comprises the following
components by weight ratio: 15 to 25 of prepared radix rehmanniae, 10
to 20 of each of prepared monkshood, prepared kusnezoff monkshood,
fried catnip, fired windproof, cornus officinalis, Chinese yam, poria
cocos and cortex moutan, 25 to 35 ofmotherwort, 4 to 10 of sweet
wormwood, and 6 to 15 of each of oriental waterplantain rhizome and
licorice. The present invention has the function of nourishing kidney
and yin, dispelling wind, clearing heat and relaxing vein, which is
used for the symptomatic treatment of 32 cases of lupus erythematosus
by clinical observation, The result shows that: 9 cases of
significantly effected, 20 cases ofimprovement, and 2 cases of null and
void.
Traditional Chinese medicine
composition for treating abdominal pain and distension
CN101675954
Abstract -- The present
invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine, relates
to a traditional Chinese medicine composition for treating abdominal
pain and distension, comprising equivalent weight of the following
traditional Chinese medicine components: radix bupleuri, forsythia,
haw, radish seeds, safflower, catnip, pollen, bitter orange, and rheum
officinale prepared by wine, which are prepared into honey pills,
dripping pills, capsules, paste, mixture and oral liquid which are
equivalent to 500 to 700g of crude drugs by using each preparing
methods. 18 cases having abdominal pain anddistension are treated by
using the present invention, including 7 males and 11 females, aged 41
-68 years, taking the present invention 3 to 14 doses, 3 of
significantly effected, 11 of improvement,the total effective rate of
77.8%, and having no toxic and side effects.
Externally-applied traditional Chinese
medicine composition for treating headache
CN101675964
Abstract -- The present
invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine,
especially relates to the field of an externally-applied traditional
Chinese medicine. An externally-applied traditional Chinese medicine
composition for treating headache is characterized by comprising the
following traditional Chinese medicine components by weight ratio: 2 to
6 portions of rhizoma typhoon, 5 to 10 portions of Ligusticum
wallichii, notopterygium root, dahurian angelica root, asarum herb,
mint and catnip, which are ground, then packed with 50g single dose.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention has not only good
curative effect, but also small toxic and side effect, convenient use,
and more economic feature.
Chinese traditional medicine for
treating vitligo
CN101628062
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a Chinese traditional medicine for treating vitligo, which
mainly comprises complete lizard, long-nosed pit viper, duckweed,
xanthium, radix saposhnikoviae, catnip, notopterygium, cimicifuga
foetida, angelica dahurica, large leaf gentian and glycyrrhiza. The
above ingredients are mixed together and put into a medical pot, and
1000g clean water is added into the pot for soaking for about one hour,
boiled by big fire and decocted by slow fire till 400g of water is
remained so as to obtain the Chinese traditional medicine. The Chinese
traditional medicine is taken once a day at normal temperature, with
ten days as a treatment course, and is taken for another ten days after
medicine taking stops for one month. Clinical use demonstrates that the
Chinese traditional medicine can not only relieve symptoms during use
but also can completely cure vitligo without recurrence after a patient
takes the medicine for 1-2 courses, has obvious effect, no toxic or
side effects and low cost, and is especially suitable for rural areas
shortage of medicine.
Chinese medicament for treating
intervertebral disc
CN101530527
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a Chinese medicament for treating intervertebral disc, which
comprises: 10 to 20 grams of common clubmoss herb, 2 to 8 grams of
dipsacus root, 11 to 19 grams of garden balsam stem, 2 to 7 grams of
incised notopterygium rhizome, 3 to 7 grams of dragon's blood, 3 to 8
grams of catnip, 3 to 7 grams of liquoric root, 2 to 7 grams of great
burdock achene, and 3.5 to 7.5 grams of Chinese angelica. The raw
materials are taken according to a weight ratio and divided into two
equal portions; the two equal portions of the raw materials are wrapped
by cotton gauze respectively and placed in a pot containing vinegar to
be boiled; one portion is taken out, allowed to cool naturally to 30 to
40 DEG C and externally applied to an aching part; when the temperature
of the medicament decreases, the medicament is replaced in the pot
containing vinegar to be heated, and at the same time, the other
portion is taken out, allowed to cool naturally to 30 to 40 DEG C, and
externally applied to the aching part; the two portions of medicaments
are used in an alternating mode; and the medicament can penetrate into
skin to reach a nidus directly and can improve local microcirculation,
relieve or eliminate local inflammatory reaction on nerve roots, and
make the protruding vertebral pulp shrink and reduce volume by losing
water and further dissolved in and absorbed by somatic fiber tissues by
releasing the ingredients of the Chinese medicament at the position of
a protruding vertebral pulp. The drug has excellent treatment effect.
Traditional Chinese medicine pillow
CN101416831
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a Chinese medicament for treating intervertebral disc, which
comprises: 10 to 20 grams of common clubmoss herb, 2 to 8 grams of
dipsacus root, 11 to 19 grams of garden balsam stem, 2 to 7 grams of
incised notopterygium rhizome, 3 to 7 grams of dragon's blood, 3 to 8
grams of catnip, 3 to 7 grams of liquoric root, 2 to 7 grams of great
burdock achene, and 3.5 to 7.5 grams of Chinese angelica. The raw
materials are taken according to a weight ratio and divided into two
equal portions; the two equal portions of the raw materials are wrapped
by cotton gauze respectively and placed in a pot containing vinegar to
be boiled; one portion is taken out, allowed to cool naturally to 30 to
40 DEG C and externally applied to an aching part; when the temperature
of the medicament decreases, the medicament is replaced in the pot
containing vinegar to be heated, and at the same time, the other
portion is taken out, allowed to cool naturally to 30 to 40 DEG C, and
externally applied to the aching part; the two portions of medicaments
are used in an alternating mode; and the medicament can penetrate into
skin to reach a nidus directly and can improve local microcirculation,
relieve or eliminate local inflammatory reaction on nerve roots, and
make the protruding vertebral pulp shrink and reduce volume by losing
water and further dissolved in and absorbed by somatic fiber tissues by
releasing the ingredients of the Chinese medicament at the position of
a protruding vertebral pulp. The drug has excellent treatment effect.
Traditional Chinese medicine
preparation for treating rhinitis
CN101422564
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a preparation of the traditional Chinese medicine for
treating rhinitis and also provides a medicament form for preparation
and usage. The invention is mainly characterized in that a plurality of
traditional Chinese medicines, such as catnip, asarum, lily magnolia,
radix saposhnikoviae, weeping forsythia, tuber of dwarf lilyturf,
charles abraham and the like, are prepared into a wine soaked cloth
wrapped pill form according to a certain proportion. When in use, the
wrapped pills are alternatively pushed into nasal cavities and play the
roles of ventilating nasal cavities, wet lung and dispelling cold,
benefiting qi and strengthening superficies, antibiosis and
detoxification, adjusting immunity and strengthening respiratory
movements. Compared with the traditional treatment method, the total
effective rate reaches to more than 95 percent in hundreds of trials.
The preparation of the traditional Chinese medicine has high cure rate
and miraculous effect on nasal polyps which automatically drop off
without surgery and is spread by sufferers.
Medicine plaster for treating
furunculosis, exogenous injury and rheumatic arthritis
CN101401873
Abstract -- The invention
provides a plaster for treating furuncle, trauma and rheumatoid
arthritis. A black plaster is extracted from carbonized human hair,
angelica tails, radix rehmanniae, rhubarb, Baikal skullcap root,
multiflower knotweed tuber, Chinese atractylodes, best-quality
cinnamon, phellodendron, pangolin, catnip ears, honeysuckle flowers,
glossy ganoderma and frankincense sesame oil, is matched with myrrh,
croton and radix curcumae, and then is added with borax, hydrargyrum
oxydatum crudum and other ingredients so as to prepare the plaster. To
furuncle, the plaster has the efficacies of eliminating furuncle
surface, removing pus and eliminating symptoms till recovery,
regardless of the degree of disease. To rheumatic or rheumatoid
symptoms, the plaster can first eliminate obstacles on Qi blood
pathways to maintain unobstructed Qi blood circulation, dredges
meridians and collaterals through acupuncture points at the same time,
regulates Yin-Yang equilibrium of viscera, recovers the physiological
functions of human bodies, and fundamentally relieves the pain of
patients.
Preparation method of tea capable of
preventing and curing cold
CN101380045
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a preparation method of tea which can prevent and cure cold.
3 to 8g of perilla leaf, 2 to 5g of wrinkled glanthyssop, 3 to 10g of
mint, 2 to 3g of catnip, and 4 to 8g of tea leaves are made into coarse
ends and are prepared by boiled water and drunk as tea. The infused
decoction of the tea is convenient; the substitution of medicine by the
tea can effectively prevent cold in daily tea drinking; the boiling or
infusion of the tea can diffuse medicine components faster, thus
providing rapid effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine
prescription for treating allergic rhinitis
CN101361904
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a Chinese medicine for curing allergic rhinitis, and is
capable of curing allergic rhinitis effectively. The portion of the
components of the medicine is as follows: 10 portions of catnip, 10
portions of radix saposhnikoviae, 10 portions of Chinese thorowax root,
10 portions of notopterygium, 10 portions of angelica dahurica, 10
portions of rhizoma ligustici wallichii, 10 portions of dark plum, 10
portions of licorice root, 10 portions of asarum, 6 portions of flower
bud of lily mango lia, 15 portions of siberian cocklebur fruit, 10
portions of bombyx batryticatus, 10 portions of radix aconiti
carmichaeli, 30 portions of Chinese wolfberry, 12 portions of tuber of
multiflower knotweed, and 12 portions of rizoma polygonatum. The usage
of the medicine is: decocting with water, serving twice per day, and a
course of treatment of 7 days. The proportion of the medicine is simple
and the medicine is easy to take with good efficacy.
Traditional Chinese medicine for
treating acne
CN101422554
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a traditional Chinese medicine for treating acne, which
consists of components formed by bulk drugs with the following weights:
12 to 15g of catnip, 12 to 15g of radix saposhnikoviae, 15 to 30g of
japanesehoneysuckle, 10 to 12g of duckweed, 12 to 15g of roots of
dahuriae angelica, 10 to 15g of scutellaria, 10 to 15g of
balloonflower, 10 to 15g of spina gleditsiae, 12 to 15g of angelica
sinensis, 15 to 20g of sophora flavescens, 15 to 20g of smilax glabra,
10 to 15g of safflower, 15 to 20g of lithospermum, 20 to 30g of salvia
and 10 to 15g of red peony roots,. The Chinese medicine is simple in
preparation, low in cost, wide in medicament resource, convenient to
use, rapid in treatment effect, high in cure rate, has no toxic or side
effects and is difficult for disease recurring, and besides the
effective rate of clinical application of the medicine is 90 percent
and cure rate is 70 percent.
Chinese medicine for treating fish
bone-pricking wound induced infection contamination
CN101327270
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a Chinese medicine for remedying fish bone stab wound
infection. The invention is made from the raw materials with the
following weight portions of 30-40g of honeysuckle, 15-20g of perilla,
10-15g of forsythia, 10-15g of scutellaria, 10-15g of red peony root,
10-15g of catnip, 10-15g of radix saposhnikoviae, 15-20g of radix
rehmanniae root, 15-20g of pollen, 3-6g of rhubarb and 8-10g of
liquorice. The Chinese medicine is simple to be prepared, has low cost,
large range of raw materials source, convenient usage method, quick
curative effect, and high cure rate, does not have any side effect, and
has 100 percent of effective rate and 85 percent of cure rate. The
general sufferers can be cured by taking three doses, and the severe
sufferers can be cured by taking six doses. The curative effect is
stable so that the illness is not easy to relapse.
Herb deodorization health-care insole
for treating dermatophytosis
CN101332000
Abstract -- The invention
relates to an insole, in particular to a herb deodorizing and
beriberi-treating health insole. The insole is divided into a cloth
layer or a plastic layer, a resin layer, a Chinese medical herb layer
and a cotton cloth layer and the four layers are overlapped, the sides
of which are sealed by sealing edges. The Chinese medical herb layer is
arranged into the insole after the Chinese medical herbs are prepared
by drying, crashing and pressing. The formula of the Chinese medical
herbs consist of catnip, angelica, sun euphorbia herb, cochinchia
momordica seed, lonicera japonica, common floweringquince fruit,
prickly ash, camphor material, pine wood and mugwort leaves. The insole
of the invention has the advantages of dispelling wind and removing
dampness, reducing the beriberi and guiding through the muscles and
joints, dispelling the pathogenic wind-toxic, enhancing human cell
viability, controlling the bacterial reproduction and having obvious
effects on the foot smelling, foot wetting and rotting, clefting of
foot skin and the muscle and joints of the heels paining of patients.
Medicament for treating psoriasis and
preparation thereof
CN101327273
Abstract -- The invention
provides a medicine for remedying psoriasis and a preparation method
thereof, and belongs to the technology field of Chinese medicine
preparation for remedying dermatosis. The invention is made from the
raw materials of radix saposhnikoviae, cicada exuviae, root-bark of
dittany, safflower, bark of boxthorn root, broom cypress fruit, sophora
flavescens, root of red-rooted salvia, honeysuckle, gromwell, catnip
ear, Chinese goldthread, kudzu root and indigo naturals. The Chinese
medicinal herbs are handpicked, weighted in proportion, washed in clear
water, dried in the air or in the sun, and crushed to be made into
decoction, pill, tablet or capsule. Compared with the prior art, the
medicine for remedying psoriasis and the preparation method thereof has
the characteristics of obvious curative effect, high cure rate, cheap
price and so on. Through the clinical trial of more than 300 psoriasis
sufferers, the effective rate of the medicine is 95 percent; the cure
rate is more than 90 percent; and the illness does not relapse any more.
Insect Repellent
US2008213408
Abstract -- The invention
provides compositions and methods useful in repelling target pests,
such as insects from target areas. The compositions comprise mixtures
or solutions of at least one repellent composition. The compositions of
the invention preferably include an effective amount of evening
primrose oil ("EPO") to repel a target pest from a target area, such as
animals, humans, plants or building structures, along with a carrier.
The repellent composition may include a combination of EPO with another
plant extract oil and a combination of EPO with catnip oil, optionally
combined with another plant extract oil. The method for repelling
target pests from animals comprises contacting a target area with the
repellent composition to repel the target pest from the target area.
The method also reduces transmission of infectious diseases transmitted
by target pests by reducing contact of the pest with target areas.
Chinese medicine with
anti-inflammation and itching-relieving action and preparation thereof
CN101264165
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a Chinese herbal medicine diminishing inflammation and
relieving itching and the preparation method, which is produced by
following raw material with weight proportion: lightyellow sophora root
10 to 60, radix rehmanniae 5 to 30, ledeboruiella root 5 to 30,
angelica 5 to 30, periostracum cicadae 5 to 20, angelica sinensis 5 to
20, Danshen root5 to 20, baikal skullcap root 5 to 20, catnip 5 to 20,
honeysuckle 5 to 20, weeping forsythia 5 to 20 and liquorice root 5 to
20. The Chinese herbal medicine has the advantages of dissipating heat
and drying the damp, enriching blood to calm endogenous wind, treating
cutaneous pruritus caused by each reason, improving microcirculation
and increasing immunity of human body.
PRODUCTION METHOD OF RECONSTITUTED TEA
RU2365130
Abstract -- FIELD: food
products. ^ SUBSTANCE: catnip leaves are consequently extracted with
liquid carbon dioxide and drinking water to obtain CO2-miscella and
water extract. Tea waste products are mixed with nonpolar liquefied
gas, extracted and minced with repeating pressure release in the
extraction mixture to the pressure lower of extract saturated vapour at
extracting temperature. Extract and extraction cake are separated. The
latter is dissolved in water solution of edible acid. Calciferous or
magnesium salt of carbonic acid and water extract of catnip leaves is
added to suspension. Then it is formed, dried till residual humidity
13-15%, cut, impregnated with CO2-miscella of catnip leaves and
gas-liquid extract of tea refuses with simultaneous pressure boost,
depressurisation till atmosphere pressure with simultaneous freezing of
absorbed carbon dioxide and its subliming with obtaining of end product
are performed. ^ EFFECT: production of new product - reconstituted
flavoured tea with complete usage of mentioned refuses.
Skin-friendly insect repellent
EP2027772
Abstract -- Preparation (I)
comprises: one or more insect repellent active agent formed from
dihydro-nepetalactone and/or catnip extract; and/or one or more
substances with a log P-value of -2.5 to 2.5. - ACTIVITY : Insect
Repellent. - MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.
Insect repellent and thickening agent
EP1997379
Abstract -- The formulation
comprises one or multiple insects repellent active ingredients. The
insects repellent active ingredients are selected from
dihydro-nepetalactones or extracts of the catnip and one or multiple
thickener. - ACTIVITY : Insecticide. - MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.
Insect repellent with reduced
stickiness
EP1997377
Abstract -- The formulation
comprises one or multiple insects repellent active ingrediants. The
insects repellent active ingredients are selected from
dihydro-nepetalactones or extracts of the catnip and one or multiple
fillers with 0.2 square meter per gram of a specific surface. -
ACTIVITY : Insecticide. - MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.
Medicament for preventing and treating
ruminant post-natal diseases and preparation method thereof
CN101564486
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a medicament for preventing and curing ruminant post-natal
diseases, which mainly uses 43 Chinese medicinal herbs of cowherb seed,
safflower, rhizoma ligustici wallichii, herba hyperici sampsonii,
catnip, loofah, vervain, Baizaocao, Guiwei, white paeony root seed,
salvia miltiorrhiza, flaccid knotweed herb, corydalis tuber, climbing
nightshade, fiveleaf akebia, squama manitis, yam, honeysuckle, Buhuang,
frankincense, pulvis glycyrrhizae praeparatus, Chinese violet, angelica
dahurica, Huangshao seed, liquorice, radix astragali, ramulus euonymi,
spina gleditsiae, peach kerne, ginseng, angelica, barbary wolfberry
fruit, herba epimedii, baikal skullcap root, red paeonia, sweet potato,
momordica dioica, shizandra berry, radix rhapontici seu radix
echinopsis, dried immature fruit of citron orange, nothapodytes
foetida, gardenia and sedge grass as base materials, uses motherwort,
mahonia, philippine flemingia root, radix sophorae falvescentis, radix
linderae and artemisia leaf as active ingredients and uses brown sugar
as a saccharifying ferment according to certain proportioning by
weight. The medicament can be prepared into pulvis for orally taking
and has the functions of enriching the blood, invigorating the blood
circulation, regulating the menstruation, relieving pains, lubricating
the intestines, relaxing the bowels, promoting the eruption, clearing
heat, detoxifying, lifting the yang-energy, regulating the vital
energy, strengthening the spleen, coordinating the exterior and the
interior, promoting the immunity, tonifying Qi, strengthening the
exterior, removing sores, promoting the granulation, tonifying
middle-Jiao and Qi, clearing damp, promoting diuresis, and the like.
The medicament has quick effect for preventing and curing the ruminant
post-natal diseases, high cure rate, safety and no toxic side effect.
Health care drinking liquid for
preventing and controlling influenza
CN101264308
Abstract --The invention
discloses a health Yinye for preventing and controlling influenza,
comprising the following raw medicines according to the weight account:
liquorice 10 to 20 parts, largehead atractylodes rhizome 10 to 20
parts, schisandra chinensic 10 to 20 parts, catnip 10 to 20 parts,
plaster 10 to 20 parts, jujube 5 to 10 parts, vane ladybell Root 20 to
40 parts, and ginger 5 to 10 parts. The health Yinye has the advantages
of improving body immune function, reinforcing body antiviral ability,
preventing and controlling influenza rapidly and effectively, and
preventing infection of influenza virus for long time without any
poison and side effects, having effectivity, safety and ability to be
used for long time.
Mongolian medicine for curing
hemorrhoid
CN101249169
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a medicine that is a mongolian medicine for treating
hemorrhoids. The medicine is made from raw ingredient medicines by
weight parts as follows: sophoricoside is 30 to 35 parts, garden burnet
is 15 to 20 parts, bitter orange is 15 to 20 parts, scutellaria is 15
to 20 parts, catnip is 15 to 20 parts, coptis is 15 to 20 parts, biota
orientalis is 15 to 20 parts, radix saposhinikoviae is 8 to 12 parts,
dangguiwei is 12 to 18 parts, and Gentiana macrophylla is 15 to 25
parts. The mongolian medicine which is made by adopting the raw
ingredient medicines has the efficacies of detumescence as well as
blood stasis removing, regeneration as well as hemostasis, and heat
clearing as well as acesodyne; a large number of experiments and
clinical application prove that the mongolian medicine has unique
therapeutic effect on various types of the hemorrhoids and has the
advantages that the course of treatment is short, the cost is low, no
toxic and side effects exist, etc., and the application prospect is
very considerable.
Medicament for curing anorectal
operation wound-surface and preparation
CN101234138
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a medicine for treating postoperative wound on anorectal
diseases and a preparation method thereof, which relates to a field of
Chinese herbal medicine preparation technology. The medicine is a
medicament prepared with lithospermum and catnip as main raw materials,
the composing prescription of which has the effects of granulation
promoting and rottenness preclude, inflammation relieving and pain
stopping, and wound healing promoting without any toxic and side
effects. The clinical observation shows that the effective rate of the
medicine can reach 90 percent.
Chinese medicine composing
prescription for treating children's lymphoglandulae mesentericae
intumesce
CN101244183
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a Chinese herbal medicine compound for curing mesenteric
lymphadenectasis of children, belonging to the technical field of
Chinese herbal medicine compound, which comprises radix sileris,
catnip, rhizomaligusticichuanxiong, isatis root, cortex moutan, red
peony root, largehead atractylodes rhizome, Chinese yam, bergamot,
rhizoma corydalis, prepared licorice, and root of herbaceous peony
which are compounded according to a weight proportion. The Chinese
herbal medicine compound has the advantages of efficiencies of removing
heat cooling blood, and anti-inflaminatory, relieving and
pain-stopping, and remarkable therapeutic effect for curing mesenteric
lymphadenectasis of children caused for viral infections.
Medicine for curing psoriasis
CN101229266
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a safe and effective medicine for psoriasis treatment, which
is formed by the raw materials with the following weight account,
garter snake 10 to 20 portions, catnip of 5 to 10 portions,
windbreaking of 5 to 10 portions, cicada skin of 5 to 10 part,
fructuskochiae of 5 to 10 portions, osthol of 5 to 10 portions, dittany
skin of 5 to 10 portions, charles abraham of 5 to 10 portions,
lightyellow sophora root of 5 to 10 portions, phellodendron of 5 to 10
portions, and astragalus of 7.5 to 15 portions. The preparation method
of the invention is: grounding the raw materials into fine powder,
mixing evenly, and putting into the capsule. Meanwhile, the traditional
Chinese medicine has no obvious side effect.
Chinese medicine for treating pruritus
dermatopathy
CN101327298
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a Chinese medicine for remedying pruritic disease. The
Chinese medicine is characterized in that the medicine is made from the
Chinese medicines with the following weight portions of 15-30 portions
of cynanchum pani jculatum, 10-15 portions of tribulus terrestrisl,
10-15 portions of catnip, 30-60 portions of fructus cnidii, 15-20
portions of cortex dictamni, 15-20 portions of angelica, 10-15 portions
of broom cypress fruit, 30-60 portions of loosestrife, 15-20 portions
of ramulus mori, 15-30 portions of agrimony, 10-15 portions of
trichosanthin, 15-20 portions of small red bean, 10-20 portions of
ampelopsis japonica, 15-20 portions of rhizoma bletillae, 15-20
portions of poria cocos, 10-30 portions of caulis polygoni multiflori,
15-30 portions of salvia, 15-20 portions of biflower, 30-60 portions of
smilax glabra, 15-30 portions of forsythia, 10-20 portions of angelica,
15-30 portions of astragalus, 15-30 portions of safflower, 10-20
portions of achyranthes bidentata bl, 10-20 portions of tangerine peel,
15-30 portions of fructus trichosanthis, 15-30 portions of sophora
flavescens and 10-15 portions of glycyrrhiza. The Chinese medicine has
rapid efficacy and high cure rate, and the disease can not be recurred
after being remedied.
Plaster for treating rheumatism bone
disease
CN101450184
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a plaster for treating rheumatism which is prepared from 40
traditional Chinese medicinal materials including syngnathus, pubescent
angelica, angelica, agkistrodonbungarus minimus, peach kernel,
safflower, phellodendron, radix sileris, catnip, asarum, pinellia
ternate, yazao, erhua, forsythia, pangolin, nux vomica, rhizoma
gastrodiae, panax notoginseng, papaya, hyssop, cortex eucommiae, cassia
twig, olibanum, myrrh, angelica, coptis, notopterygium, fritillaria,
sophora, whole worm, centipede, dragon's blood, radix auckladiae,
realgar, musk, clove, borneol, astragalus, sesame oil and guangdan. The
plaster has special curative effect for treating intractable
rheumatism, and has advantages of quick result, short treatment period,
high cure rate and low cost.
Preparation method of schizonepetae
and forsythia decoction
CN101450140
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a preparation method of catnip forsythinol decoction
belonging to the traditional Chinese medicine technology field. In
order to regress to the disease treating marrow of the traditional
medicine, the preparation method of the classic catnip forsythinol
decoction in the invention comprises: water extracting according to the
'obeying ancient' guiding ideology, and concentrating and granulating
combining with modern technology; and a best matched preparation
process parameter and applicable auxiliary materials to the catnip
forsythinol decoction are summarized out. The invention not only
furthest reserves the traditional medicine experiences, but also can
adapt to the rapid paces of modern society by the preparation forms
such as granule, tablet capsule, powder and pill.
Chinese medicine for treating mild
chilblain
CN 101116679
Abstract -- A traditional
Chinese medicine for treating mild chilblain specially belongs to a
medicine for treating mild chilblain. The ingredients by mass are as
follows: 12g of cinnamon, 12g of angelica, 12g of cassia twig, 10g of
ferula, 10g of common fennel, 10g of angelica dahurica, 10g of parsnip,
8g of hemlock parsley, 8g of clove, 8g of wild celery, 8g of catnip, 5g
of safflower, 5g of camphor and 400g of white spirit with fifty DEG C;
the preparation method are that: the cinnamon, angelica, cassia twig,
ferula, common fennel, angelica dahurica, parsnip, hemlock parsley,
clove, wild celery, catnip, safflower, camphor are mixed
proportionally, grinded into dead smalls, immerged into the alcohol
spirit fully, sealed for three days and filtered to take out the sieve
residues and get extracts. The Chinese herbal medicine is simple in
compatibility of medicine; medicines in the medicine prescription use
natural herbal medicines completely, thereby being convenient for
drawing and using, simple in preparation method, good in taking
curative effect, low in medicine cost and applicable for people who
live far away from townships and in remote villages in particular; the
medicine has low treatment cost for people who has mild chilblain
disease, thereby solving curative problems caused by low-income
families, poor living and scarce medical treatment conditions.
Chuan Xiong Tea soft capsule and
method for preparing the same
CN101327302
Abstract --- The invention
relates to a Chuanxiong Chatiao soft capsule and a preparation method
thereof. In modern medicine, the Chuanxiong Chatiao powder is improved
and made into tablets, capsule, oral liquid and so on, which can not
achieve the efficacy of the original formulation. The preparation
method of the Chuanxiong Chatiao soft capsule is that Chuanxiong, red
peony root, gastrodia elata, notopterygium, angelica, asarum,
chrysanthemum, mint, parsnip, tea leaves, liquorices and catnip are put
into the Chinese medicine extraction pot. Water is added for soaking,
and the mixture is decocted for three times. At the same time, volatile
oil is collected. The water decoction liquid and extraction liquid are
combined and processed with centrifugal filtration. The filtrate is
decompressed and condensed, and crushed with grain size less than 120
meshes after being processed with spray drying. The extraction volatile
oil is melted with a certain amount of edible oil. Dry extractum power
is mixed with edible oil. The dry extractum power takes 20-50 weight
percent of the oil base in soft capsule. The mixture is grinded by a
colloid mill, and pigment gelatin which is taken as capsule wall
material is added and is made into capsule core extractum oil base
liquid. The soft capsule is formed by pressing under the condition of
stirring. The soft capsule is manufactured after being dried, washed
and dried. The Chuanxiong Chatiao soft capsule is used for replacing
Chuanxiong Chatiao powder.
Kashiwa catnip beverage
CN101062176
Abstract -- Disclosed is a
medicinal preparation for treating hemorrhoid, which is prepared mainly
from arborvitae tops, schizonepeta spike, Chinese angelica root, dried
rehmannia root, goldthread root, honey-fried licorice root and black
plum.
Decoction made from catnip, fang-feng
and so on
CN101062175
Abstract -- Disclosed is a
medicinal broth for treating skin eczema, urticaria and angioneurotic
edema, which is prepared mainly from schizonepeta spike, ledebouriella
root, batryticated silkworm, licorice root, honeysuckle flower, root
bark of tree peony, dried rehmannia root, baikal skullcap root and
peppermint.
METHODS AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND
FORMULATIONS TO NORMALIZE AND IMPROVE HUMAN BODY CHEMISTRY AND HEALING
ABILITY
US2008260708
Abstract -- Methods, systems
and formulations for normalizing and improving human body chemistry and
the body's natural ability to heal itself. In one embodiment a system
including effective amounts of a digestive enzyme, soluble and
insoluble fiber, laxative, probiotics, vitamin C, potassium, protease
enzymes, lipase, lysine, taurine, proline, choline, inositol, inositol
hexaphosphate, policosanol, charcoal, bentonite clay, thyme, ascorbic
acid, magnesium citrate, calcium citrate, methylsulfonyl methane,
cayenne pepper, magnesium, potassium, ester-c, ginger and niacin,
lysine calcium, stevia leaf, citric acid, a tincture of bayberry bark,
juniper berries, yam root, cramp bark, golden seal root, fennel seed,
uva ursi leaves, ginger root, lobelia herb, catnip herb, and peppermint
leaf, golden seal root, Echinacea angustifolia root, ginger root, and
licorice root, a tincture of black walnut hulls, venus fly trap,
chaparral, wormwood, licorice root, slippery elm, cloves and comfrey
root, burdock root, sheep sorrel, rhubarb root, slippery elm, olive
leaf and yarrow flower is provided.
COMPOSITION FOR A FEELING OF
RELAXATION
US2008248141
Abstract -- A method for
promoting restful, quality sleep in an individual comprising the
administration of a composition comprising Lemon balm extract and one
or more of Mesua ferrea plant powder, a source of reserpine, Catnip
powder and Jamaica dogwood for the promotion of a feeling of relaxation
conducive to the induction of sleep in an individual.
COMPOSITION FOR PROMOTING SLEEP AND
RELAXATION COMPRISING LEMON BALM
WO2008122099
Abstract -- A method for
promoting restful, quality sleep in an individual comprising the
administration of a composition comprising Lemon balm extract and one
or more of Mesua ferrea plant powder, a source of reserpine, Catnip
powder and Jamaica dogwood for the promotion of a feeling of relaxation
conducive to the induction of sleep in an individual.
Chinese medicine ointment for treating
ache of neck, shoulder, waist and leg
CN101194990
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a medicament for curing cervical spondylosis,
arthrophlogosis, scapulohumeral periarthritis, rheumatic arthritis,
atrophic arthritis, neuralgia, hyperosteogeny, numbness of limbs,
intervertebral disc extrusion, femoral head necrosis, sprain and
bruise, which is a paste processed by various herbs and base agent. The
main constituent of the invention comprises musk, radix aconite, radix
aconite kusnezoffi, raw nux vomica, pubescent angelica, notopterygium,
eucommia ulmoides, trophozoites, ledebouriella root, pangolin scales,
root of gentian, angelica, olibanum, myrrh, dragon blood, clematis
root, whole worm, lumbricus, cinnamomum cassia, achyranthes root,
catnip, salvia miltiorrhizae, camphor and base reagent. The invention
has a special curative effect on cervical-shoulder and lumbocrural pain
with no toxic and side effects, and the effective rate is up to 95%
according to clinical verification.
BIORATIONAL REPELLENTS OBTAINED FROM
TERPENOIDS FOR USE AGAINST ARTHROPODS
US2007154504
Abstract -- The compositions
comprise an effective repellent amount of one or more monoterpenoids,
one or more sesquiterpenoids or a blend of one or more monoterpenoids
and one or more sesquiterpenoids in combination with a carrier, wherein
the compositions are formulated to repel a target pest from a target
area. In one embodiment, the one or more monoterpenoids, and/or one or
more sesquiterpenoids are from a biorational source, such as a plant
volatile. In one embodiment, the one or more sesquiterpenoids are
oxygen-containing sesquiterpenoids. In a particular embodiment, the
plant volatile is a monoterpenoid, such as "nepetalactone" (or the
individual nepetalactone isomers) derived from catnip (Nepeta cataria).
In another embodiment, the plant volatile is additionally or
alternatively a sesquiterpenoid derived from the fruit of the Osage
orange tree (Maclura pomifera), Siam wood or the Amyris plant. Such
compositions have repellency, including long term repellency, against
arthropods.
Chinese compound medicine cataplasm
for treating cough, preparing method and use in medicine preparing
CN1814269
Abstract -- The invention
discloses a Chinese traditional medicine compound relieve cough agent
and the manufacture method that includes Chinese traditional medicine
extractive and water-solubility base material. The extractive is made
up from Chinese ephedra, gesso, mongolian snakegourd, prepared
pinellia, dried ginger, catnip, cicada skin, apricot, peach kernel,
white peony root, liquorice, and chamomile. The water solubility base
material is made up from sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl pyrrolidon,
glutin, sodium cellulose glycolate, glycerin, kaolin, azone, propylene
glycol and water. The agent has large drug carrying ability, good drug
compatibility, and stable base material performance, it would not react
with main drug, low cost, no stimulating to skin, no anaphylactic
response, and is easy to manufacture. It is good medicament for cure
acute bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis.
A COMPOSITION OF INGREDIENTS TO
VEGETABLE LIQUEUR "NEPETA"
UA9767
Abstract -- A composition of
ingredients to vegetable liqueur "Nepeta" contains vegetable raw
material infusion with biologically active substances, alcohol and
water. At that as vegetable raw material infusion with biologically
active substances used is aqueous-alcoholic extract of catnip herb (
cat mint).
Methods of separating ZE-nepetalactone
and EZ-nepetalactone from catnip oil
US2006121134
Abstract -- A method of
separating ZE-nepetalactone and EZ-nepetalactone from catnip oil
involving mixing catnip oil dissolved in at least one water immiscible,
non-halogenated organic solvent with at least one inorganic base
dissolved in water to form a biphasic mixture, stirring the biphasic
mixture to hydrolyze ZE-nepetalactone to form ZE-nepetalic acid,
separating the aqueous phase containing ZE-nepetalic acid from the
organic phase containing EZ-nepetalactone in the biphasic mixture, and
optionally acidifying the aqueous phase to about pH 4.5 and adding at
least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent to
azeotropically lactonize the ZE-nepetalic acid in the presence of a
catalytic amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid to form ZE-nepetalactone.
Throat ache relieving medicine
CN1593525
Abstract -- Disclosed is a
medicine for treating throat ache, which comprises catnip 4-8g,
ledebouriella root 4-8g, fruit of citron 4-8g, root of balloonflower
8-15g, hogfennel root 8-15g, scrophularia root 20-30g, capsule of
weeping forsythia 8-15g, cimicifuga rhizome 8-15g, licorice root 3-8g.
Method for making cigarette to treat,
prevent and health-care respiratory system disease
CN1579264
Abstract -- The invention is a
manufacturing method for a disease-prevention and healthy keeping
cigarette which is made up of several kinds of tobaccos and several
kinds of Chinese medicine and who can cure respiratory system diseases.
It is made up of two kinds of tobaccos and seven kinds of Chinese
medicines according to weight proportion 5:0.5-5, which can be divided
into following three kinds of breeds: 1. flue-cured tobacco type 2.
Compound type 3. Cigar type, it can develop several kinds of breeds.
The Chinese medicines are made up of mulberry leaf, wild chrysanthemum
flower, stigma of corn, cutification, orange silk, catnip, all of which
can reduce the nicotine and tar in tobacco. It can achieve the healthy
keeping effect with Chinese medicine fuming.
Topical insect repellent
US2004197364
Abstract -- The present
invention is directed to a topical insect repellent composition,
comprising: 40-70 wt % eucalyptus oil; 3-10 wt % catnip oil; 2-6 wt %
DMSO or MSM; 6-20 wt % aloe vera; 6-20 wt % jojoba oil; 6-20 wt % tea
tree oil; and 6-20 wt % peppermint oil, all weight percents based on
the total weight of the composition. The present invention is also
directed to an article of manufacture that contains a label and the
composition of the invention.
Preparation method of composition
containing dihydro nepetalactone
CN101396020
Abstract -- The invention
relates to dihydro-Nepetalactone, which is the secondary natural
ingredient of catnip (Nepeta), for example Nepeta essential oil and has
been confirmed as an effective vermicide compound. The
dihydro-Nepetalactone can be synthesized by hydriding Nepetalactone
(the main ingredient of catnip essential oil). Meanwhile, the compound
with aromaticity can be commercially used due to the disinsectization
performance.
Cough-relieving medicine and its
preparation method
CN1579441
Abstract -- The invention is a
cough relieving medicine; it is made up of ingredients with following
weight proportion: poppy shell immersed plaster 90-110, aster 26-38,
chrysoidine 15-26, stemona root radix stemonae 15-26, magnolia vine
fruit 3-7, balloonflower root 26-38, citron or trifoliate orange fruit
3-7, dried tangerine peel 26-38, catnip 10-22, hogfennel root 40-54,
dried ginger 3-7, liquorice 85-105, ammonium chloride 65-95, peppermint
oil dementholized 0.3-0.7ml. The invention can regulate the lung and
relieve phlegm, stops cough. The invention also provides the
manufacturing method for the medicine.
BUGNIP
US2004197362
Abstract -- The purpose of my
invention is to find a more effective insect repellent that is safe for
the environment and people. Catnip is an herb that was once used for
medicinal purposes such as colic in babies, and skin irritations. Lemon
juice is found in most refrigerators across the country. This is the
combination I have used to develop my insect repellent, BUGNIP. DEET,
the most common insect repellent, can have serious adverse side effects
from overuse, and use on small children. BUGNIP is made from
ingredients that have been used medicinally through the centuries, and
will not have adverse side effects. This is especially important today,
while West Nile is a threat. People are concerned about the adverse
effects of chemically based repellents, and do not want to use them.
This is where my invention, BUGNIP, is different from other repellents.
It is safe, and it repels insects.
Biorational repellents obtained from
terpenoids for use against arthropods
US2003138471
Abstract -- This invention
provides compositions and methods useful for repelling target pests.
The compositions comprise an amount of a monoterpenoid or
sesquiterpenoid effective to repel a target pest from a target area,
the monoterpenoid or sesquiterpenoid in combination with a carrier. In
one embodiment, the monoterpenoid or sesquiterpenoid is from a
biorational source, such as a plant volatile. In a particular
embodiment, the plant volatile is a monoterpenoid, such as
"nepetalactone" (or the individual nepetalactone isomers) derived from
catnip (Nepeta cataria). In another embodiment, the plant volatile is
any one or a combination of sesquiterpenoids derived from the fruit of
the Osage orange tree (Maclura pomifera). Such compositions have
repellency against arthropods, such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, mites,
ticks, spiders, and so forth.
AGENT "KHITOKOR" FOR TREATMENT OF
VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C AND METHOD OF TREATMENT
RU2185185
Abstract -- Invention relates
to agents of plant origin used for treatment of viral hepatitis.
Invention proposes an agent for treatment of viral hepatitis B and C
comprising lectin-containing medicinal plants: maize stigmas, common
balm leaves, peppermint leaves, medicinal sage leaves, feline catnip
herb, narrow-leaved willow-herb herb and medicinal pot-marigold flowers
taken in their ratio = 7:3:3:1:5:7:7, respectively. Agent is made as
tabletted form and has additionally water-soluble, low-molecular
chitosan and filling agent taken in the following ratio of components,
mg per a tablet: medicinal plants, 300-320; water-soluble chitosan,
25-27; filling agent up to 500. Also, an agent has starch and
carboxymethylcellulose as a filling agent. Invention proposes also a
method of treatment of viral hepatitis B and C that involves
administration to patient the above indicated agent in the dose 2
tablets in the morning and evening in eating for 2-4 months. Agent and
method promote the enhancement of therapy efficiency due to etiotropic
and pathogenetic treatment. EFFECT: enhanced effectiveness of agent and
treatment.
HERB-CONTAINING DRINK
JP2002306142
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To provide a herb-containing drink with reduced odor peculiar
to the herb. SOLUTION: This herb-containing drink contains a herb
extract and sucralose. The herb extract is one or more kinds selected
from the extracts of lemon balm, chamomile, lindane, catnip,
passionflower leaf, lemon verbena, lemon grass and blueberry leaf. The
amount of the added herb extract is preferably 0.05-10 wt.% based on
the final product, and the amount of the added sucralose is preferably
0.005-0.05 wt.% based on the final product. Further, a menthol ester of
an organic acid is preferably included therein.
UPLIFTING AGENT AND PERFUME
COMPOSITION HAVING UPLIFTING EFFECT
JP2002234840
Abstract -- This
uplifting agent comprises a nepetalactone represented by general
formula (1) as an active ingredient and is capable of uplifting the
consciousness level of a human or an animal. The perfume composition
comprises the uplifting agent formulated therein. Furthermore, the
perfume composition comprises a catnip oil.
Method of making an herbal drink
US6287567
Abstract -- A method of making
an herbal drink for relieving symptoms of fatigue, congestion, fever
and asthma. The method of making an herbal drink includes making an
herbal drink for relieving symptoms of various ailments such as cough,
fever and fatigue. The drink is formed by straining water through a
combination of equal portions of rosehip, goldenseal, comfrey leaf, bee
pollen, spearmint, chickweed, comfrey root, chamomile flower, catnip,
mullein, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, and licorice root.
PREPARATION FOR EXTERNAL USE FOR
SENSITIVE SKIN
JP2000302658
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain a preparation for external use for skin that is
useful as a cosmetic or a medicine for external use for skin that can
alleviate undesirable actions caused by stress. SOLUTION: This
preparation includes one or two or more selected from
mucopolysaccharides bearing sulfate groups and one or two or more
selected from the extracts from plants in perilla of mint family, in
chrysanthemum of aster family, and in dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera).
In a preferred embodiment, the plants of perilla, chrysanthemum and
dropwort are selected from perilla, catnip, melissa, thyme, oregano,
lavender, basil, Cnidium officinale, fennel, anise, deyl, burdock,
chicory, camomile, safflower, and dandelion.
AGENT FOR STIMULATING GROWTH OF
BACTERIUM BELONGING TO GENUS BIFIDOBACTERIUM AND DRINK OR FOOD
CONTAINING THE SAME
JP2000083654
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To provide a Bifidobacterium bacterium growth-stimulating agent
having an action for selectively stimulating the growth of the
Bifidobacterium bacterium by the addition of a small amount. SOLUTION:
This Bifidobacterium bacterium growth-stimulating agent contains as an
active ingredient an extract obtained from one or more kinds of plants
selected from the group consisting of Curcuma zedoaria, the fruit of
Citrus aurantium, Citri leiocarpae exocarpium, lonicerae flos, the leaf
of Perilla frutescens, Aurantii nobllis pericarpium, Persicae semen,
Buddleia officinalis, eyebright, camomile, Elettaria cardamomum,
catnip, safflower, sweet violet, chive, Hyssopus officinalis,
pennyroyal, pepermint, motherwort, marigold, yarrow, lemon balm, rose
hip, rosemary, mulberry tree leaf, Trachycarpus fortunei leaf, radish
seed, parsley,; Artemisia princeps and rutaceous plant fruit and/or
pericarp.
LEGIONELLA BACTERIA RESISTANT
COMPOSITION
JP11043442
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain the genus Legionella bacteria-resistant composition
which has no adverse effect, shows safety even when formulated to food
and drink and can strongly inhibit the proliferation of the genus
Legionella bacteria. SOLUTION: The genus Legionella bacteria-resistant
composition contains one or more than two kinds of extracts selected
from the extracts from Isodon japonicus Hara, Magnolia biloba (Rehd. Et
Wils.) Cheng, Magnolia obovata Thunb., Zingiber officinale L.; Rosc.,
Lonicera iaponica Thunb., Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet var.japonica
Kitagawa, Astragalus sinicus L., Alpinia katsumadai Hayata, Lycopus
lucidus Turcz., Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., Buddleja officinalis
Maxim., Alpinia oxyphylla Mig., Prunus mandshurica (Maxim.) Kohme,
Psidium guajava L. leaf, Trachycarpus excelsa Wendl. leaf, Nandina
domestica Thunb. leaf, Eucalyptus globulus Labill. leaf, Artemisia
vulgaris L. var. Indica Maxim, Psidium guajava L. fiuit, Stevia,
Mangosteen rind, Morus bombycis Koidz. bark, Catnip, Cardamon, Sweet
violet, Tarragon, Chive, Hyssop, Blackberry, Mugwort, Monarda, Tokoro,
Raspberry, Rosemary, Wild Strawberry or Propolis as active ingredients.
ENDERONIC COLLAGEN FASCICULUS REMEDIAL
AGENT
JP10330221
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain the subject agent capable of normalizing enderonic
collagen fasciculus developed due to wrinkles, fibrosis, keloid, etc.,
by including the essence from a plant belonging to the genus Perilla
frutescens crispa. SOLUTION: This enderonic collagen fasciculus
remedial agent is obtained by including an essence, i.e., a
fractionation-purified product (pref. alcohol (e.g. ethanol) extracts
and a fractionation-purified product therefrom) which is obtained by
separation and column purification of the extracts (concentrate
thereof) obtained by subjecting a plant belonging to the genus Perilla
frutescens crispa such as thyme, beefsteak plant, archangel, Mentha
piperita, piperita japonica, spearmint, CATNIP, melissa, rosemary or
sage, or a processed product thereof (e.g. dried, chopped, ground
product) to extraction with a solvent such as water, an alcohol, ether,
halohydrocarbon, organic acid ester, ketone or hydrocarbon.
COMPOSITION FOR FOOD ADDITIVE - BALSAM
"ELEKSIR"
RU2123038
Abstract -- FIELD: food
industry. SUBSTANCE: treatment-and-prophylactic additive-balsam
contains the following ingredients, kg/1000 dal of prepared product:
thyme grass, 20.0-22.0; cedar nut, 20.0-25.0; hawthorn fruits,
50.0-55.0; dog rose fruits, 50.0-55.0; dog rose roots, 10.0-12.0; wind
strawberry grass, 10.0-15.0; catnip grass, 20.0-25.0; European mountain
ash fruits, 50.0-52.0; thorowax, 2.0-3.0; wormwood grass and stalks,
1.0-2.0; bistort roots, 1.0-2.0; apple tree flowers, 5.0-6.0; birch
fungus, 20.0-25.0; clover, 0.2-0.3; trepang, 2.0-2.5; selfheal grass,
1.0-2.0; Chinese mustard seeds, 0.1-0.15; propolis, 0.3-0.4;
additive-balsam also has, l: hydrolysate of salmons milt, 35.0-40.0;
infusion of velvet anthers of punctate deer, 10.0-11.0; ginseng
infusion, 5.0-5.5; natural honey, 200.0-220.0; aqueous-alcoholic
liquid, the balance. Balsam "Eleksir" is used as food additive in tea,
coffee, mineral water. EFFECT: complex treatment-and-prophylactic
action. 2 expo
ACTIVE OXYGEN SCAVENGER
JP9118630
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain an active oxygen scavenger, containing an essence of
a labiatie catnip, capable of manifesting actions on sufficient
scavenging of active oxygen generated in vivo, having high safety and
suitable for a medicine, a food and cosmetics. SOLUTION: This active
oxygen scavenger contains pulverized, chopped and dried plant bodies of
a labiatie catnip, an extract separated from the processed material
with a solvent (e.g. water or an alcohol) or an essence which is a
substance removed from the solvent as an active ingredient. The
extraction is performed by adding the solvent in an amount of 1-20
times based on the plant bodies or their processed material thereto,
then dipping the plant bodies, etc., therein at ambient temperature for
several days or at a temperature near the boiling point of the solvent
for several hours. The scavenger is blended in an amount of 0.01-10wt.%
and prepared as cosmetics or blended in an amount of 0.01-10wt.% and
prepared as foods. The daily dose of the scavenger for an adult is
10-100mg orally administered in one to several divided portions or
5-500mg is administered by injection. The scavenger manifests effects
on wrinkle formation, body odor emission, alopecia, inflammation,
senile dementia, ischemic disease such as cardiac infarction, diseases
such as allergic disease, hepatopathy or rheumatism and amelioration of
biological senescence such as skin.
THERAPEUTIC AND PROPHYLACTIC AGENT FOR
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
JP9118629
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for atopic
dermatitis containing an essence of plant bodies of a labiate catnip.
SOLUTION: This therapeutic and prophylactic agent for atopic dermatitis
contains pulverized, chopped and dried plant bodies of a labiate
catnip, an extract separated from the processed material with a solvent
(e.g. water or an alcohol) or a substance removed from the solvent and
an essence which is a fractionated substance thereof as an active
ingredient. The extraction is performed by adding the solvent in an
amount of 1-20 times based on the plant bodies or their processed
material thereto, then dipping the plant bodies, etc., therein at
ambient temperature for several days or at a temperature near the
boiling point of the solvent for several hours and, as necessary,
subsequently removing an insoluble substance. The extract is formulated
into an oral administration agent, a parenteral injection or a
percutaneous administration agent by further suitably blending optional
ingredients therewith. The daily dose for an adult is 5-500mg divided
into several portions in the case of the oral administration agent and
1-100mg for the parenteral injection. When the resultant formulation is
percutaneously administered as a dermal preparation for external use,
0.01-10wt.% is blended in the dosage form and a proper amount thereof
is daily applied to a lesion several times.
SKIN COSMETIC
JP9052813
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain a new skin cosmetic excellent in skin beautifying
effect attributable to the improvement of dry feeling, shortage of
glossiness, fine wrinkles, rough skin, etc., and also excellent in
safety by using an extract obtained from a specific plant belonging to
the family Labiatae. SOLUTION: This cosmetic is obtained by using an
extract of catnip belonging to the family Labiatae. Leaves, flowers,
stems or a whole plant of catnip is extracted by immersing into a hot
medium of an aqueous organic solvent or a hydrated aqueous organic
solvent at an immersing temperature from the ambient temperature to the
boiling temperature of the extraction medium. Subsequently, the
extraction liquid is subjected to suction filtration followed by the
concentration under reduced pressure to remove the solvent. Thus, a
viscous or exsiccated extract is obtained. Further, the extraction
solvent is preferably a hydrated aqueous organic solvent preferably
containing >=50wt.% of an aqueous organic solvent such as a
monovalent alcohol or acetone. The skin cosmetic is supplied in various
kinds of preparations including a skin lotion, an emulsion, a cream, a
pack, etc.
HAIR GROWING AND FOSTERING AGENT
JP9048711
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To obtain a new hair growing and fostering agent excellent in
hair growing and fostering effect and having safety sufficiently
tolerable for a long term use by using an extract obtained from a
specific plant belonging to the family Labiatae. SOLUTION: This hair
growing and fostering agent is prepared by using an extract obtained by
extracting catnip with a water soluble organic solvent or a water
containing organic solvent. The content of the extract is preferably
0.001-10wt.%. The addition of a skin peripheral vasodilator to the hair
growing and fostering agent gives further preferable hair growing and
fostering effect. The skin peripheral vasodilator is e.g. carpronium
chloride, nicotinic acid benzyl ester, vitamin E, etc. The hair growing
and fostering agent is e.g. a hair tonic, a shampoo, a rinse, a pomade
or a hair lotion.
Process for liquid catnip aromas
US5567436
Abstract -- Aromatic oils and
flavor from the herbaceous plant catnip are extracted through
absorption, or infusion, by a liquid, wherein the aroma laden liquid is
misted to animal device surfaces for enticement purposes.
beta -glucuronidase inhibitor
US5447719
Abstract -- A beta
-glucuronidase inhibitor comprising at least one compound selected from
the group consisting of baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-glucuronide and
luteolin-3'-glucuronide; an extract of scutellaria root (baikal
skullcap; Scutellariae Radix) and/or schizonepeta spike (Japanese
catnip; Schizonepelae Spica); or a Chinese and Japanese traditional
prescription comprised of scutellaria root (baikal skullcap;
Scutellariae Radix) and/or schizonepeta spike (Japanese catnip;
Schizonepelae Spica) as a crude drug. The beta -glucuronidase inhibitor
can relieve the adverse effect, especially diarrhea, caused in the
administration of a compound represented by the following formula I I
ANTIOXIDANT
JP3056585
Abstract -- PURPOSE:To obtain
an antioxidant, containing a solvent extract of a plant body composed
of the families Rosaceae, Compositae, Labiatae, Boraginaceae and
Araceae, etc., as an active ingredient, used for foods or biological
systems and more powerful than alpha-tocophenol. CONSTITUTION:The
objective antioxidant containing an extract of one or more plant bodies
selected from the group consisting of agrimony, blackberry, raspberry,
etc., of the family Rosaceae, chamomile, helichrysum, marigold, etc.,
of the family Compositae, basil, catnip, horsemint, etc., of the family
Labiatae, blueberry of the family Ericaceae, borage and comfrey, of the
family Boraginaceae, calamus of the family Araceae, eyebright of the
family Scrophulariacea, elder of the family Caprioliacea, henna of the
family Lythraceae, lemongrass of the family Gramineae, malva and
marshmallow of the family Malvaceae, orange of the family Rutaceae,
rose geranium, of the family Geraniaceae and verbena and vitex of the
family Verbenaceae with a solvent, such as ethyl acetate or ethanol, as
an active ingredient.
PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF COMPOSITIONS
FOR DECREASING BLOOD-PRESSURE
HU47029
Abstract -- A blood pressure
decreasing compsn. is prepd. as follows (a) to 500 ls. of water
maintained pref. at approx. 40 deg.C the following ingredients are
added (all kg. wts.) 20-50 mustard seed, 10-20 juniper berries, 20-40
Vinca minor, 20-40 nettle leaves, 4-12 catnip (valerisue) roots, 5-15
haw, 2.5-7.5 hawthorn flower, 10-30 woundwort, 20-40 corn-silk. This
mixt. is heated at 40-50 deg.C temp. and 200-400 kP pressure for 30-40
mins. Following this the mixt. is steamed for 5-10 mins., allowed to
stand for 16-30 hrs. at approx. 40 deg.C and pressed out., (b) the
following cpds. are added to the collected liquid (all kgs.) 20-40
citric acid, 10-30 potassium-citrate, 12-24 magnesium citrate and
sufficient non carbohydrate sweetener. - The liquid is concentrated to
refraction 30-35 and spray dried. Granules or compressed tablets may be
produced from the obtd. powder.
Improvements in or relating to process
for curing and preserving plant products
GB438093
Abstract -- Plant foliage, e.g.
tobacco, hops, hay and alfalfa, sage, thyme, catnip, tea mint and other
herbs is subjected during the process of curing, e.g. air curing, to
the action of light having a wavelength above 4900 A DEG and excluding
all light having a wavelength below that figure, and is then packed in
containers of a material adapted to admit light having a wavelength
above 4900A DEG and exclude all light having a lower wavelength.
Suitable light may be that having the colour of the chlorophyll
pigments in plants and having a wavelength between 5270 and 6500A DEG
or orange-yellow light which excludes or absorbs all wavelength below
5000A DEG . Hay, alfalfa, tobacco and other crops may be cured under
suitable translucent hay-caps or in barns suitably protected. Foliage,
e.g. in the form of cigarettes or cigars may be enclosed in a coloured
wrapper having opaque binding material, e.g. foil, attached to the ends
and serving as a closing means for the wrapper.ALSO:Plant foliage, e.g.
tobacco, hops, hay and alfalfa, sage, thyme, catnip, tea mint and other
herbs is subjected during the process of curing, e.g. air curing, to
the action of light having a wavelength above 4900A DEG and excluding
all light having a wavelength below that figure, and is then packed in
containers of a material adapted to admit light having a wavelength
above 4900A DEG and exclude all light having a lower wavelength.
Suitable light may be that having the colour of the chlorophyll
pigments in plants and having a wavelength between 5270 and 6500A DEG ,
or orange yellow light which excludes or absorbs all wavelength below
5000A DEG . Hay, alfalfa, tobacco and other crops may be cured under
suitable translucent hay-caps or in barns suitably protected. Foliage,
e.g. in the form of cigarettes or cigars may be enclosed in a coloured
wrapper having opaque binding material, e.g. foil, attached to the ends
and serving as a closing means for the wrapper.ALSO:Plant foliage e.g.
tobacco, hops, hay and alfalfa, sage, thyme, catnip, tea mint and other
herbs is subjected during the process of curing e.g. air curing, to the
action of light having a wavelength above 4900A DEG and excluding all
light having a wavelength below that figure, and is then packed in
containers of a material adapted to admit light having a wavelength
above 4900A DEG and exclude all light having a lower wavelength.
Suitable light may be that having the colour of the chlorophyll
pigments in plants and having a wavelength between 5270 and 6500A DEG ,
or orange yellow light which excludes or absorbs all wavelength below
5000A DEG . Hay, alfalfa, tobacco and other crops may be cured under
suitable translucent hay-caps or in barns suitably protected. Foliage
e.g. in the form of cigarettes or cigars may be enclosed in a coloured
wrapper having opaque binding material, e.g. foil, attached to the ends
and serving as a closing means for the wrapper.
STEAM DISTILLATION OF CATMINT PLANTS
US2010034906
Abstract -- This invention
provides processes for improved recovery of
essential oil from the catmint (catnip) plant Nepeta cataria.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/876,556, filed 21 Dec. 2006, which is incorporated
in its entirety as a part hereof for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention provides processes for improved recovery
of essential oils from the catmint (catnip) plant Nepeta cataria.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It has been recently demonstrated that dihydronepetalactone
exhibits insect repellency (see, for example, U.S. Ser. No.
05/112,166). Dihydronepetalactone can be obtained from the essential
oil of the catmint plant, Nepeta cataria. Essential oil from N.
cataria, herein referred to as catmint oil, has been obtained by
various isolation processes, including steam distillation, organic
solvent extraction, microwave-assisted organic solvent extraction,
supercritical fluid extraction, mechanical extraction and enfleurage
(initial cold extraction into fats followed by organic solvent
extraction). Steam distillation [such as described by Regnier, F. E. et
al, Phytochemistry (1967) 6:1281-1289] is the most economically viable
method for obtaining catmint oil.
[0004] Yields of catmint oil obtained using standard distillation
techniques are likely insufficient, however, for commercial production
of the insect repellent dihydronepetalactone as derived from catmint
oil. A need thus remains for improved techniques for the recovery of
catmint oil from catmint plants.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, the processes of this invention provide a
process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria by (a) contacting
Nepeta cataria plant material with steam to form a volatilized mixture
comprising catmint oil and water; (b) condensing the volatilized
mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid mixture comprising catmint
oil and water in which catmint oil is dissolved in water; (c)
contacting the liquid mixture formed in step (b) with salt to provide a
mixture in which catmint oil and salt are both dissolved in water, and
in which
(i) the solubility of catmint oil in the solution of water and salt is
at least about 50% less than the solubility of catmint oil in water,
and/or
(ii) the ratio [([rho]catmint oil-[rho]aqueous solution)/[mu]aqueous
solution], where [rho] is density, [mu] is viscosity and the aqueous
solution is the solution of water and salt, is less than or equal to
about -0.05, to provide in the mixture a catmint oil phase that is
separated from an aqueous salt solution phase; and (d) recovering the
catmint oil phase.
[0008] In another embodiment, the processes of this invention provide a
process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria by (a) contacting
Nepeta cataria plant material with steam in a direct fired retort to
form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (b)
condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid
mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (c) separating the liquid
mixture formed in step (b) into a catmint oil phase and a water phase;
(d) recycling the water phase back to the direct fired retort of step
(a); and (e) recovering the catmint oil phase.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the processes of this invention provide
a process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria by (a)
contacting Nepeta cataria plant material with steam in a direct fired
retort under vacuum to form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint
oil and water; (b) condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step
(a) to form a liquid mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (c)
separating the liquid mixture formed in step (b) into a catmint oil
phase and a water phase; and (d) recovering the catmint oil phase.
[0010] In further embodiments, this invention relates to a process for
hydrogenating a catmint oil that has been obtained from plant material
according to a process as described above, and incorporating the
hydrogenated catmint oil into a formulation suitable for application to
the skin, hair, fur, feathers or hide of a human or domesticated animal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an
indirect fired traditional steam distillation
apparatus for oils that are heavier or more dense than water.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows an
indirected fired steam distillation apparatus
for oils that are lighter or less dense than water solutions.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a direct
fired steam distillation apparatus
connected to a vacuum system, with a means to recycle water for oils
that are heavier or more dense than water.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a plot of the
ratio of the difference in density of
catmint oil (CMO) and aqueous solution to the viscosity of the aqueous
solution at 25[deg.] C.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plot of the
ratio of the difference in density of
catmint oil (CMO) and aqueous solution to the viscosity of aqueous
solution at 50[deg.] C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] This invention provides improved processes for steam distilling
plant material from Nepeta cataria, thereby achieving a greater yield
of the essential oil thereof, herein referred to as catmint oil ("CMO").
[0017] Catmint oil from N. cataria is comprised predominantly of
trans-cis and/or cis-trans isomers of nepetalactone, but also may
comprise extraneous components including unsaturated components such as
caryophyllenes, carvones, limonenes and other sesquiterpenes, and other
unidentified impurities. CMO can be hydrogenated to prepare
hydrogenated CMO, which contains dihydronepetalactone.
[0018] Catmint oil exhibits several characteristics that lead to low
recovery of the oil from plant material using standard steam
distillation techniques commonly employed for the isolation of
essential oils from plant material. Catmint oil has significant
solubility in water, and does not readily coalesce to form a separate
oil phase from the condensed water used in the steam distillation
process. Additionally, nepetalactone, the principal constituent of
catmint oil, hydrates at high temperatures to non-volatile and unwanted
side products. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages of
the isolation of catmint oil from plant material to provide an
economical method for recovering the oil in high yield at moderate
temperatures.
[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the solubility of catmint
oil in water is reduced by the addition of salt to the aqueous phase
during the distillation process. As a result, the amount of catmint oil
in the wastewater leaving the process is reduced, resulting in a
greater yield of catmint oil. The use of a salt to reduce the
solubility of catmint oil in water has a further advantage in that it
allows the oil to be less dense than the water phase. This allows the
use of traditional oil collection equipment, wherein the catmint. oil
is collected as an upper phase, which can easily be recovered by
decantation. An additional advantage is that the rate at which the oil
coalesces may be increased through the use of various salts.
[0020] According to conventional distillation processes for recovering
catmint oil, plant material from N. cataria (herein also called catmint
plant material) is contacted with steam to form a vapor phase
heterogeneous mixture comprising predominantly catmint oil and water.
This mixture is then condensed to form a heterogeneous liquid condensed
mixture comprising a catmint oil phase and a water phase, and the
catmint oil phase is recovered from this mixture.
[0021] A traditional steam distillation apparatus is shown
schematically in FIG. 1. Plant material is packed into a retort over a
set of steam injectors, a suitable retort that may be used for such
purpose being that which is available from Juniper Mfg. (Redmond,
Oreg.). The lid of the retort is closed and sealed to both the retort
and to a condenser. Steam is injected through the injection manifold
(or steam injector) and into the packed plant material. The steam
provides two functions: 1) energy to disrupt the glandular (or
secretory) trichomes on the plant and release the oil, and 2) formation
of a heteroazeotrope with the oil and thus volatizes it sufficiently as
to allow it to be transported into the vapor phase. The steam and
volatized oil are ducted to a condenser.
[0022] Cooling water, from any suitable water source, flows through the
condenser. Its cooling effect allows the steam and catmint oil vapor to
condense. The condenser is configured in such a way as to allow gravity
to drain the condensed water and catmint oil out of the condenser and
into a collection can. The water and catmint oil are ducted into the
collection can optionally using internal baffles in such a way as to
produce a quiescent zone to allow the oil and water to effectively
separate. The quiescent zone is the zone where the superficial velocity
of the condensate is less than the disengagement velocity of the oil
from the water.
[0023] Essential oils that are produced in large commercial quantities,
i.e. spearmint and peppermint oils, are generally less dense than
water, and when using a standard collection can, these essential oils
would form a phase above the water. Catmint oil, however, is heavier
(more dense) than water, and thus conventional collection equipment
does not offer the same advantage in the case of catmint oil. As shown
in FIG. 1, the water forms an aqueous phase above the heavier catmint
oil. The water is thus generally removed as wastewater, for example by
decantation. Typically, the temperature of the condensate is controlled
at a modest temperature, approximately 40-60[deg.] C., to allow the oil
and water to effectively separate in the quiescent zone of the
separation can.
[0024] The use of a steam distillation apparatus similar to that shown
in FIG. 1 in a conventional distillation process may be illustrated as
follows: A glass resin kettle (as the retort) is outfitted with a steam
injector plate, a condenser head and a graduated cylinder attached to
the condenser as a simple collection can. The graduated cylinder is
sized to have a condensate residence time of 20 to 30 minutes. Dried
catmint plant material (100 grams) is packed into the resin kettle
above the steam injector. The resin kettle is sealed and made leak
tight. Live saturated steam is injected into the bottom of the resin
kettle at a rate of approximately 40 g/min of steam per Kg of dried
catmint plant material. The pressure of the steam is slightly above
atmospheric pressure to allow for a pressure drop across the plant
material and the condenser. The cooling water flow is adjusted to the
condenser so that the condensate temperature is about 50[deg.] C. After
the graduated cylinder is filled, with condensate, it overflows into a
wastewater drain.
[0025] The still is operated in this fashion for 4.5 hours.
Dichloromethane is added to the graduated cylinder. The resulting
mixture of solvent and oil is removed. from the graduated cylinder and
a portion is analyzed by GC. The GC analysis provides a measure of the
total amount of oil collected in the cylinder without having to weigh
the sample. The oil collected in the receiver is expected to be less
than 0.15 wt. % of the original dry weight of the catmint plant
material.
[0026] One aspect of this invention relates to the discovery that,
after contacting the catmint plant material with steam, and cooling the
volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water to form a
heterogeneous condensed mixture, the catmint oil can be separated from
the heterogeneous condensed mixture in greater yield than observed with
conventional distillation techniques by contacting the condensed
mixture with a salt that decreases the solubility of catmint oil in
water. In a preferred embodiment, the salt will also increase the rate
at which the oil coalesces and disengages from the aqueous phase, thus
reducing oil loss as fine droplets in the aqueous phase.
[0027] More specifically, one embodiment of the processes hereof
provides a process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria by (a)
contacting Nepeta cataria plant material with steam to form a
volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (b) condensing
the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid mixture
comprising catmint oil and water in which catmint oil is dissolved in
water; (c) contacting the liquid mixture formed in step (b) with salt
to provide a mixture in which catmint oil and salt are both dissolved
in water, and in which
(i) the solubility of catmint oil in the solution of water and salt is
at least about 50% less than the solubility of catmint oil in water,
and/or
(ii) the ratio [([rho]catmint oil-[rho]aqueous solution)/[mu]aqueous
solution], where [rho] is density, [mu] is viscosity and the aqueous
solution is the solution of water and salt, is less than or equal to
about -0.05,
to provide in the mixture a catmint oil phase that is separated from an
aqueous salt solution phase; and (d) recovering the catmint oil phase.
[0030] This process can be carried out in a distillation apparatus as
shown in FIG. 2. Plant material is packed into a retort. The lid of the
retort is closed and sealed to both the retort and to a condenser.
Steam for the distillation of the catmint plant material can be
provided by any suitable means such as by direct injection through an
injection manifold as illustrated in FIG. 2. In an alternative
embodiment, the steam can be obtained by adding water to the retort,
and boiling the water in the presence of the plant material. The latter
method is referred to as using a direct fired retort.
[0031] The volatized oil that is produced when steam contacts the plant
material is ducted, along with the steam, to a condenser. Cooling
water, from any suitable water source, flows through the condenser. Its
cooling effect allows the steam and catmint oil vapor to condense to
form the heterogeneous liquid condensed mixture. The condenser is
configured in such a way as to allow gravity to drain the condensed
water and catmint oil out of the condenser and into a collection can.
The water and catmint oil are ducted into the collection can,
optionally using internal baffles in such a way as to produce a
quiescent zone to allow the oil and water to effectively separate.
Typically, the temperature of the condensate is controlled at a modest
temperature, approximately 40-60[deg.] C., to allow the oil and water
to effectively separate in the quiescent zone of the separation can.
[0032] The heterogeneous liquid condensed mixture comprising catmint
oil and water can be contacted with salt by any suitable means, and it
is preferable that the entire mixture comes into contact with salt. In
one embodiment of the processes hereof, a porous material, such as
burlap, filter paper, filter cloth (e.g. cheesecloth), or a fine mesh
screen, is placed in a funnel, and the salt is placed on the porous
material. The mixture catmint oil and water contacts the salt, and
flows through the funnel into the collection can. In an alternative
embodiment, the chosen salt can be preloaded in the collection can to
allow the aqueous CMO mixture to directly contact the chosen salt. In
yet another embodiment, a concentrated salt solution may be used, and
the aqueous CMO mixture is brought into contact with the concentrated
salt solution. For steam distillation systems described below wherein
vacuum is used, the contacting of the aqueous CMO mixture with salt
would be carried out in. a closed system.
[0033] In addition to its effects on solubility, the addition of salt
to the aqueous CMO mixture also increases the disengagement rate of
catmint oil from water. At a particular temperature, the ratio of the
difference in the density ([rho]) of catmint oil (CMO) and the density
of the aqueous solution (aq. sol.) to the viscosity ([mu]) of the
aqueous solution [([rho]CMO-[rho]aq. sol.)/[mu]aq. sol] is indicative
of the ease for disengaging oil droplets from the water. In the above
ratio, the aqueous solution is water with or without salt, as the case
may be. This ratio can be modified through the addition of salt to the
water since the added salt changes both the water density and
viscosity. The ratio can also be modified by changing the temperature
of the mixture; temperatures of from about room temperature (about
25[deg.] C.) to about 75[deg.] C. are preferred, and temperatures of
about 40[deg.] C. to about 60[deg.] C. are more preferred.
[0034] It is expected that the wastewater from the steam distillation
process can be used as a fertilizer, and thus preferred salts include
the sulfate, nitrate and phosphate salts of Groups 1 and 2 of the
Periodic Table of the Elements.
[0035] By modifying the water density and viscosity, the position of
the catmint oil layer in the collection can may be modified. Using
conventional distillation techniques without salt addition, the catmint
oil would be recovered as the bottom layer in the collecting can. By
modifying the water density and viscosity, the catmint oil can be
recovered from the top of the collecting can (for example, by
decantation of the catmint oil phase), thereby allowing the use of
conventional collecting equipment. In addition, corrosion products that
may be formed in the condenser or collection can collect at the bottom
of the collecting can, contaminating the liquid phase that is at the
bottom of the can. Therefore, an additional advantage to having the oil
phase as the top phase is that it is separated from any corrosion
products that may be present.
[0036] Steam distillation of catmint oil according to a process of this
invention may be carried out in a distillation apparatus as shown in as
FIG. 2, and may be illustrated as follows: The distillation apparatus
includes a retort (available from Juniper Mfg. (Redmond, Oreg.) with a
steam injector plate, a condenser, and a conical collection can
optionally with internal baffling in the collection can. The collection
can is sized to have a condensate residence time of about 30 minutes.
This residence time is high enough to provide a quiescent zone for the
oil droplets to coalescence into a single continuous phase. This will
occur when the superficial velocity of the water in the collection can
is less than the settling velocities of the catmint oil droplets
suspended in the water phase.
[0037] The distillation apparatus is modified such that the incoming
catmint oil distillate is passed through a bed of a salt such as Epsom
salts (hydrated magnesium sulfate) before entering the can. This is
done by plugging the inlet funnel of the collection can with a piece of
burlap to retain undissolved salt. The salt is dissolved by the
incoming condensate stream, thus yielding a nearly salt-saturated water
solution entering the can. Salt is replenished manually during the
course of the run to maintain the presence of undissolved salt at all
times.
[0038] Dried catmint plant material (13 kg) is packed into the retort
above the steam injector so that the retort is full and the plant
material is sealed securely to the sides of the retort so that
channeling of the steam along the inside walls of the retort is
minimized. The retort is sealed and made leak tight. Live steam
produced in a separate boiler is injected into the bottom of the retort
at a rate of 480 g/min for a total of 60 minutes. The pressure of the
steam is slightly above atmospheric pressure to allow for pressure drop
across the plant material and the condenser. The cooling water flow is
adjusted to the condenser so that the condensate temperature is between
45[deg.] C. and 55[deg.] C. during the distillation. After the
collection can is filled with condensate, the water phase condensate is
drawn off the bottom of the collection can into a wastewater drain.
[0039] The still is operated in this fashion for 1 hour. A total of
approximately 2.2 Kg of steam is used per Kg of dried catmint plant
material. Approximately 50 mL or 52 grams of catmint oil is collected
in the bottom of the collection can. This corresponds to approximately
0.40 wt % of the original dry weight of the catmint plant. The water
effluent coming out is collected and later analyzed for dissolved oil
by GC analysis. The GC analysis is expected to indicate an oil content
of about 0.05 wt % of catmint oil in this water. This lower solubility
corresponds to a yield improvement of 0.22 wt % of catmint oil relative
to the dried plant weight. There is an additional yield gain of about
0.06 wt % of oil relative to the dried plant weight due to improved
disengagement of the oil from the water.
[0040] The loss of catmint oil to wastewater can be reduced by reducing
the amount of water used during the distillation process. It has thus
been found, in another embodiment hereof, that, in direct fired
retorts, the amount of water used in the process can be reduced by
recycling the water after it is condensed. Thus, by modifying the
conventional distillation apparatus such that water flows from the
collection can back to the retort (see FIG. 3), the amount of water
used in the process can be reduced.
[0041] More specifically, the processes hereof further provide a
process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria by (a) contacting
Nepeta cataria plant material with steam in a direct fired retort to
form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (b)
condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid
mixture comprising catmint oil and water; (c) separating the liquid
mixture formed in step (b) into a catmint oil phase and a water phase;
(d) recycling the water phase back to the direct fired retort of step
(a); and (e) recovering the catmint oil phase.
[0042] The placement of the line that directs water from the collection
can to the retort will depend on the position of the water in the
collection can, i.e. whether the water phase is on top of the catmint
oil or below the catmint oil. Water recycle from the collection can to
the retort will function in distillation systems where no salt is used,
but will also function in those distillation systems where salt is used
to alter catmint oil solubility or the disengagement rate from water.
[0043] In a further embodiment of the processes hereof, the rate of
hydrolysis of catmint oil to undesirable by-products (such as nepetalic
acid) during the steam distillation process may be reduced.
[0044] It has been found that, at higher temperatures, nepetalactone
isomers in catmint oil hydrate to undesirable products (such as
nepetalic acid), and that the rate of formation of nepetalic acid
increases with increasing temperature. Performing the distillation of
catmint plant material at a lower temperature, such as a temperature of
from about room temperature (about 25[deg.] C.) to about 75[deg.] C.,
preferably about 40[deg.] C. to about 60[deg.] C., will thus reduce the
tendency for the hydration of nepetalactone to occur. The temperature
can be reduced by operating the distillation apparatus under vacuum;
and an example of such a system is shown in FIG. 3.
[0045] The amount of vacuum applied to the system will depend on the
system components, however achieving an absolute pressure of about 13
kPa to about 70 kPa is preferred. An absolute pressure of about 20 kPa
to about 45 kPa is more preferred. The application of vacuum can be
used in distillation systems where no salt is used, but will also
function in those distillation systems where salt is used to alter
catmint oil solubility or the disengagement rate from water. In
addition, the application of vacuum can be used in systems where water
is recycled from the collection can back to the retort.
[0046] The advantageous attributes and effects of the processes hereof
may be seen in a series of examples, as described below. The
embodiments of these processes on which the examples are based are
representative only, and the selection of those embodiments to
illustrate the invention does not indicate that materials, conditions,
arrangements, components, reactants, techniques or configurations not
described in these examples are not suitable for practicing these
processes, or that subject matter not described in these examples is
excluded from the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
EXAMPLES
[0047] The following abbreviations are used: GC is gas
chromatograph(y); GC-MS is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; FID is
flame ionization detector; NMR is nuclear magnetic resonance; C is
Centigrade, MPa is mega Pascal; kPa is kilo Pascal; h is hour; [deg.]
C. is degrees Centigrade; Kg is kilogram; g is gram; min is minute;
aq.sol is aqueous solution; wt. % is weight percent.
[0048] Epsom salt (heptahydrate) was purchased at Pathmark Stores Inc.,
Newark Del. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium
nitrate, and urea were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.).
Plant material was grown in a greenhouse using Johnny's catmint seed
(Winslow, Me.).
Determination of Catmint Oil Constituents and the Hydrogenated
Compounds Thereof:
[0049] Samples were diluted with an. internal standard solution and
injected on a DB FFAP column using an HP5890 GC equipped with a FID
detector (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, Calif.). The injection and
detector temperatures were 250[deg.] C. The temperature of the column
was linearly ramped from 50[deg.] C. to 250[deg.] C. for 20 min and
held at 250[deg.] C. for the duration of the run. A split mode inlet
was used. Peak identification and relative response factors of the
major components were determined using calibration standards of
nepetalactone and nepetalic acid.
Example 1
Effect of Salt on the Solubility of
Catmint Oil (CMO) in Water
[0050] Mixtures of CMO with water, and with various solutions of salt
in water, were equilibrated and the aqueous phase was analyzed by GC to
measure CMO concentration (Table 1). A sample of CMO in pure water was
used as control and yielded a solubility of 0.15 weight percent. Upon
addition of salt, the catmint oil phase floated on top of the aqueous
phase at equilibrium for most compositions. GC analysis revealed that
the CMO solubility in the water was dependent on the type of salt used.
In general, the CMO concentration in water decreased with increasing
salt content except for urea. In addition, CMO solubility was
significantly reduced in MgSO4 solutions relative to other salt
solutions.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Solubility of catmint oil in various
aqueous
salt solutions at room temperature.
Sample Salt CMO in aqueous phase
Number Salt (wt %) CMO phase (wt %)
1 Ca(NO3)2 5 bottom 0.26
2 Ca(NO3)2 10 top 0.19
3 Ca(NO3)2 15 top 0.16
4 Ca(NO3)2 20 top 0.15
5 MgSO4 5 top 0.11
6 MgSO4 10 top 0.07
7 MgSO4 15 top 0.05
8 MgSO4 20 top 0.04
9 Urea 5 bottom 0.24
10 Urea 10 bottom 0.26
11 Urea 15 top 0.31
12 Urea 20 top 0.34
13 KNO3 5 bottom 0.21
14 KNO3 10 top 0.18
15 KNO3 15 top 0.14
16 KNO3 20 top 0.13
"CMO phase" refers to the position of the CMO as either below, the
aqueous phase ("bottom"), or above the aqueous phase ("top").
[0051] Typical steam distillations use 1 to 4 Kg of water per Kg of
dried plant material. Without salt addition, there is a yield loss of
0.11 to 0.88 wt % catmint oil based on dried plant weight. However,
with magnesium sulfate salt addition [see Table 1], this yield loss
decreased to 0.04 to 0.16 wt. % oil based on dried plant weight. This
resulted in a yield increase of 0.07 to 0.72 wt. % catmint oil based on
dried plant weight.
Example 2
Disengagement Rate of Catmint Oil from
Water
[0052] The ratio of the difference in density of catmint oil and
aqueous solution (i.e. water with or without the addition of salt) to
the viscosity of the aqueous solution [([rho]CMO-[rho]aq. sol)/[mu]aq.
sol.] (wherein "aq. sol." is the abbreviation for aqueous solution) was
evaluated for mixtures of catmint oil and aqueous solutions at various
temperatures. The density of catmint oil was measured using standard
techniques. The density and viscosity of the salt solutions are
available in the literature [Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook,
6thEdition, 1984; International Critical Tables of Numerical Data,
Physics, Chemistry and Technology (1st Electronic Edition), Knovel Co.,
2003]. The values for mixtures of water/catmint oil and various salt
water solutions with catmint oil were plotted at 25[deg.] C. and
50[deg.] C. in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. A mixture of water and
peppermint oil was used as a comparison.
[0053] The greater the extent to which the calculated ratios depart
from zero, the faster will be the oil disengagement rate from the water
or salt water solution. A negative ratio indicates that the catmint oil
phase will be lighter than the aqueous phase. The oil will float on top
of the water. A positive ratio indicates that the catmint oil is
heavier than the water or salt water solution, and thus the oil will
sink below the aqueous phase. Aqueous solutions of magnesium sulfate
and calcium nitrate were particularly effective in improving the
separation of catmint oil from the water. In addition, the addition of
aqueous solutions of magnesium sulfate and calcium nitrate to the water
made the water heavier than catmint oil, which permitted the collection
of the distilled catmint oil as the top phase in the collecting can. A
temperature of 50[deg.] C. is preferred over 25[deg.] C.
Example 3
Comparative Example
Steam Distillation without Salt
Addition
[0054] Steam distillation of catmint oil was carried out in a
distillation apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1 for a
conventional steam distillation [retort available from Juniper Mfg.
(Redmond, Oreg.)]. The distillation apparatus included a retort with a
steam injector plate, a condenser, and a conical collection can,
wherein said conical collection optionally had internal baffling. The
collection can was sized to have a condensate residence time of about
30 minutes. This residence time was high enough to provide a quiescent
zone for the oil droplets to coalesce into a single continuous phase.
[0055] Dried catmint plant material (13 Kg) was packed into the retort
above the steam injector so that the retort was full and the plant
material was sealed securely to the sides of the retort so that
channeling of the steam along the inside walls of the retort was
minimized. The retort was sealed and made leak tight. Live steam
produced in a separate boiler (not shown in FIG. 1) was injected into
the bottom of the retort at a rate of 480 g/min for a total of 60
minutes. The pressure of the steam was slightly above atmospheric
pressure to allow for a pressure drop across the plant material and the
condenser. The cooling water flow was adjusted to the condenser so that
the condensate temperature was between about 45[deg.] C. and 55[deg.]
C. during the distillation. After the collection can was filled with
condensate, the condensate overflowed into a wastewater drain. The
distillation apparatus was operated in this fashion for 1 hour. A total
of approximately 2.2 Kg of steam was used per Kg of dried catmint plant
material.
[0056] Approximately 15.6 mL (16.2 grams) of catmint oil was collected
in the bottom of the collection can. This corresponds to approximately
0.12 wt % of the original dry weight of the catmint plant. The water
effluent coming out was collected and later analyzed for dissolved oil
by GC analysis. The GC analysis indicated an oil content of about 0.15
wt % of catmint oil in this water. This is near the solubility limit of
the catmint oil in water and constitutes a substantial yield loss of
0.33 wt % of catmint oil relative to the dried plant weight. This yield
loss does not include losses due to poor disengagement of the oil from
the water.
Example 4
Steam Distillation of Catmint Plant
Material
Effect of Recycling Water
[0057] A steam distillation apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1
is used. A glass resin kettle (as the retort) is outfitted with a steam
injector plate, a condenser head and a graduated cylinder attached to
the condenser as a simple collection can. The graduated cylinder is
sized to have a condensate residence time of 20 to 30 minutes. The
apparatus was modified from that shown in FIG. 1 to be able to directly
boil water in the base of the retort and to be able to recycle the
water back to the retort from the oil collector (FIG. 2). A 10 mL
graduated cylinder was used as the condensate collector. Deionized
water (500 grams) was loaded in the heal of the resin kettle. Dried
catmint plant material (100 grams) was packed into the resin kettle
above the water. Electrical heating mantels were used to supply heat
directly to the water and to maintain the plant bed temperature
sufficient to not allow excessive condensation of water in the plant
material. The heat input was adjusted so that the condensation
residence time in the 10 mL graduated cylinder was between 10 and 20
minutes. Cooling water was supplied to the condenser to allow the
condensate temperature to be about 30[deg.] C. Water from the condenser
was periodically drained back to the retort.
[0058] The distillation apparatus was operated in this fashion for
about 4.5 hours. Dichloromethane was added to the graduated cylinder.
The resulting mixture of solvent and oil was removed from the graduated
cylinder and a portion was analyzed by GC. The GC analysis provided a
measure of the total amount of oil collected in the cylinder without
having to weigh the sample. The oil collected in the receiver was about
0.17 wt % of the original dry weight of the catmint plant material.
This shows a yield increase of at least 13% relative to that observed
when the experiment is performed without recycle.
Example 5
Vacuum Steam Distillation of Catmint
Plant Material with Water Recycle
[0059] The steam distillation apparatus described in Example 4 was
modified to allow vacuum operation of the retort and condenser (FIG.
3). A 10 mL graduated cylinder was used as the condensate collector.
Deionized water (500 grams) was loaded in the heal of the resin kettle.
Dried catmint material (84 grams) was packed into the resin kettle
above the water. Electrical heating mantels were used to supply heat
directly to the water and to maintain the plant bed temperature
sufficient to not allow excessive condensation of water in the plant
material. The vacuum was adjusted so that the retort was running at an
absolute pressure of 31 kPa (4.5 psia) and a boiling temperature of
about 70[deg.] C. The condensation residence time in the 10 mL
graduated cylinder was between 10 and 20 minutes. Cooling water was
supplied to the condenser to allow the condensate temperature to be
about 30[deg.] C. Water from the condenser was periodically drained
back to the retort.
[0060] This still was operated in this fashion for about 7 hours.
Dichloromethane was added to the graduated cylinder. The resulting
mixture of solvent and oil was removed from the graduated cylinder and
a portion was analyzed by GC. The GC analysis provided a measure of the
total amount of oil collected. in the cylinder without having to weigh
the sample. The oil collected in the receiver was about 0.3 wt. % of
the original dry weight of the catmint plant material. This shows a
significant increase in yield at a lower temperature of distillation.
[0061] Where a range of numerical values is recited is herein, the
range includes the endpoints thereof and all the individual integers
and fractions within the range, and also includes each of the narrower
ranges therein formed by all the various possible combinations of those
endpoints and internal integers and fractions to form subgroups of the
larger group of values within the stated range to the same extent as if
each of those narrower ranges was explicitly recited. Where a range of
numerical values is stated herein as being greater than a stated value,
the range is nevertheless finite and is bounded on its upper end by a
value that is operable within the context of the invention as described
herein. Where a range of numerical values is stated herein as being
less than a stated value, the range is nevertheless bounded on its
lower end by a non-zero value.
[0062] In this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise or
indicated to the contrary by the context of usage, amounts, sizes,
ranges, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and
characteristics recited herein, particularly when modified by the term
"about", may but need not be exact, and may also be approximate and/or
larger or smaller (as desired) than stated, reflecting tolerances,
conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, as
well as the inclusion within a stated value of those values outside it
that have, within the context of this invention, functional and/or
operable equivalence to the stated value.
[0063] In this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise or
indicated to the contrary by the context of usage, where an embodiment
of the subject matter hereof is stated or described as comprising,
including, containing, having, being composed of or being constituted
by or of certain features or elements, one or more features or elements
in addition to those explicitly stated or described may be present in
the embodiment. An alternative embodiment of the subject matter hereof,
however, may be stated or described as consisting essentially of
certain features or elements, in which embodiment features or elements
that would materially alter the principle of operation or the
distinguishing characteristics of the embodiment are not present
therein. A further alternative embodiment of the subject matter hereof
may be stated or described as consisting of certain features or
elements, in which embodiment, or in insubstantial variations thereof,
only the features or elements specifically stated or described are
present.
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Tuesday,
August
10,
2010
A Sticker Makes
Solar Panels Work
Better
by
Kevin Bullis
A startup's polymer sticker
increases power output by 10 percent, and can be applied to panels that
are already installed.
The
power
output
of
solar panels can
be boosted by 10 percent just by applying a big transparent sticker to
the front. Developed by a small startup called Genie Lens Technologies,
the
sticker
is
a
polymer
film
embossed with microstructures that bend
incoming sunlight. The result: the active materials in the panels
absorb more light, and convert more of it into electricity.
The
technology
is
cheap
and could lower the cost per watt of solar
power. Also, unlike other technologies developed to improve solar panel
performance, this one can be added to panels that have already been
installed.
The
polymer
film
does
three main things, says Seth Weiss,
CEO and cofounder of Genie Lens, based in Englewood, CO. It prevents
light from reflecting off the surface of solar panels. It traps light
inside the semiconductor materials that absorb light and convert it to
electricity. And it redirects incoming light so that rather than
passing through the thin semiconductor material, it travels along its
surface, increasing the chances it will be absorbed.
Researchers
designed
the
microstructures
that accomplish this by
using algorithms that model how rays of light behave as they enter the
film and encounter various surfaces within the solar panel--the
protective glass cover, the semiconductor material, and the back
surface of the panel--throughout the day. The key was bending the light
the optimal amount, enough that it enters the solar panel at an angle,
but not so much of an angle that the light reflects off and is lost. If
light does reflect off either the glass or semiconductor surfaces, the
film redirects much of it back into the solar panel.
Tests
at
the
National
Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that the
film increases power output on average between 4 percent and 12.5
percent, with the best improvement under cloudy conditions, when
incoming light is diffuse. Adding the film--either in the factory,
which is optimal, or on solar panels already in use--increases the
overall cost of solar panels by between 1 percent and 10 percent. But
the panels would then produce enough additional electricity to justify
the price. What's more, increasing the power output of a solar panel
decreases other costs--such as shipping and installation--because fewer
solar panels are required at each installation, says Travis Bradford, a
solar industry analyst and president of the Prometheus Institute.
Yet
the
overall
benefit
depends on how long the polymer film lasts.
The cost per kilowatt hour of solar power is figured by estimating the
total power output of the solar panel over its 20- to 25-year warranty.
If the film is scratched, attracts dust, or becomes discolored after
years or decades in the sun, it could actually lower power output over
time. "Durability is a big issue," Bradford says. The materials used in
solar panels today have been tested over decades, and although Weiss
says his company's films will last for 20 years, their durability
hasn't been verified.
Meanwhile,
many
solar
panel
companies are developing related
approaches for increasing the amount of light a solar panel will
absorb. For example, Innovalitight, based in Sunnyvale, CA, has
developed a method for printing silicon nanoparticles that can improve
the amount
of light conventional crystalline silicon solar panels absorb. It's
working with two major solar manufacturers, JA Solar and Yingl, to
commercialize the technology. Unlike many of these other approaches,
which are developed for particular kinds of solar panel materials, the
Genie Lens films can be applied to any type of solar panel--including
crystalline silicon and newer thin-film solar panel technology.
[ Official Portrait ]
since January 1, 1934
