The efficacy of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) in clinical settings is dictated by the concentration of quassinoids, primarily eurycomanone. Achieving a consistent eurycomanone standardization requires a sophisticated industrial protocol that bridges traditional ethnobotany with modern chromatography.
I. Raw Material Selection & Preparation
Extraction efficiency begins with the geopedology of the source material. PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi utilizes wild-harvested taproots from the volcanic soils of Tanah Karo. The roots must be at least 10 years old to ensure the accumulation of complex secondary metabolites.
Once harvested, the roots undergo a multi-stage preparation process:
- Hydro-Cleaning: High-pressure removal of volcanic soil residue.
- Shredding: The cortical and xylem layers are shredded into 3-5mm fibers to maximize surface area for solvent penetration.
- Dehydration: Air-drying in controlled-humidity chambers to a moisture content of <10%.
II. The Extraction Protocol: Aqueous-Ethanol Method
Eurycomanone is a polar molecule, making it highly suitable for aqueous or hydro-ethanolic extraction. To achieve the standardization benchmarks, PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi employs a Multi-Stage Counter-Current Extraction system.
Step 1: Maceration and Solvent Ratio
The shredded root is submerged in a solvent mixture (typically a 70:30 water-to-ethanol ratio). Ethanol acts as a solvent for the organic resins, while the aqueous component targets the polar quassinoids. The ratio of solvent to raw material is maintained at 10:1.
Step 2: Heat-Assisted Agitation
The mixture is heated to 60°C. Maintaining temperatures below 70°C is critical to prevent the thermal degradation of the heat-sensitive glycoproteins associated with the plant's bioactivity. Agitation is constant for 6 to 8 hours.
Step 3: Filtration and Concentration
The liquid extract (miscella) is passed through a 1-micron filtration system to remove fibrous matter. This liquid is then moved to a Vacuum Falling Film Evaporator. By lowering the pressure, the solvent evaporates at a lower temperature, protecting the eurycomanone integrity while concentrating the solids into the extract."
III. Standardization to Desired Eurycomanone Levels
Standardization is the process of adjusting the final powder to contain an exact percentage of the active marker. For Tongkat Ali root, the international "gold standard" is 2% Eurycomanone via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).. For Tongkat Ali root bark, it is 6% Eurycomanone, and for Tongkat Ali Leaf, 10%.
| Component | Analysis Method | Specification Target |
|---|---|---|
| Eurycomanone | HPLC-UV | 2.0% - 2.4% |
| Total Saponins | UV-Vis | > 40.0% |
| Total Polysaccharides | Gravimetric | > 30.0% |
| Moisture Content | Vacuum Oven | < 5.0% |
Achieving the correct Ratio
The soft extracts are tested for their native eurycomanone concentration. If the concentration is higher, additional purified root fiber is added in precise amounts to "standardize" the batch down to exactly 2.0% (root), 6% (rootbark), or 10% (leaf) respectively. This ensures that every capsule produced contains the identical therapeutic dose.
IV. Spray Drying and Particle Morphology
The final stage of preparation is Spray Drying. The concentrated extract is atomized into a stream of hot air. The moisture evaporates instantly, leaving behind a fine, free-flowing powder.
- Mesh Size: 100% through 80 mesh.
- Appearance: Brown to dark brown hygroscopic powder.
- Solubility: 80% soluble in water.
- Microbial Limit: Total Plate Count < 100 CFU/g (Sterilized via Gamma Irradiation or Steam).
This rigorous industrial process ensures that PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi remains the global leader in Tongkat Ali research and supply, providing the raw materials necessary for the next generation of metabolic and endocrine health supplements.