On the possibility of compressing herbal raw material from Cichorium intybus L. roots

Introduction. The release of micro- and nanoplastic particles (microplastics) from filter bags during the preparation of infusions and decoctions from plant materials is a relevant medical and social problem. One promising solution is to replace filter bags with dosed briquettes obtained by direct compression of plant materials.

Aim. To establish the optimal pressure range for compressing ground Cichorium intybus L. roots, ensuring the production of a technological product suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Materials and methods. Three fractions of ground Cichorium intybus L. roots (with particle sizes of 500–1000, 180–250, and 50–100 µm) were studied. A comprehensive pharmaceutical-technological assessment of the raw material was carried out (bulk density, flowability, moisture content, etc.). Briquettes weighing 100 mg were obtained at compression pressures ranging from 31 to 311 MPa. The SeDeM method, Heckel and Kawakita equations were used to analyze compressibility. Briquette strength and disintegration time in freshly boiled purified water were evaluated.

Results and discussion. The Good Compression Index (GCI) according to the SeDeM method was below the threshold value (5.0) for all fractions; however, the coarse fraction (500–1000 µm) showed the best result (4.55). Using Heckel and Kawakita models, optimal compression pressure ranges for each fraction were established. For the most technologically optimal fraction of 500–1000 µm, this range was 0.687–222.2 MPa. It was experimentally determined that a pressure of 30 MPa is optimal, ensuring the production of strong briquettes with a disintegration time in freshly boiled purified water of less than 60 seconds, which is acceptable for the consumer.

Conclusion. It was established that the optimal fraction for briquetting is ground Cichorium intybus L. roots with a particle size of 500–1000 µm. The optimal compression pressure for obtaining rapidly disintegrating briquettes in freshly boiled purified water is 30 MPa. Ground Cichorium intybus L. roots can serve as a technological component to improve flowability in combined herbal mixtures intended for briquetting.

1. Blynskaya E. V., Yudina D. V., Alekseyev K. V., Alekseyev V. K., Minaev S. V. Comparative compressibility study of tablet GML-1 mixtures obtained by wet granulation technology. Volgograd scientific and medical journal. 2019;3:49–54. (In Russ.)

2. Kornilov K. N., Roeva N. N. Determination of the Microplastic Particle Release by Tea Bags During Brewing. Health, Food & Biotechnology. 2021;3(3):25–32. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.36107/hfb.2021.i3.s113

3. Bobkova N. V., Ermakova V. A. Identification of plant raw materials as pharmaceutical substances in complex Traditional Chinese Medicine preparations. In: Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Botanical Garden of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University: «Medicinal Plants of the Botanical Garden». 21–22 September 2016. Moscow. Available at: https://www.elibrary.ru/download/elibrary_26745166_89919717.pdf Accessed: 28.04.2026. (In Russ.)

4. Hernandez L. M., Xu E. G., Larsson H. C. E., Tahara R., Maisuria V. B., Tufenkji N. Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental Science & Technology. 2019;53(21):12300–12310. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

5. Winiarska E., Jutel M., Zemelka-Wiacek M. The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks. Environmental Research. 2024;251:118535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.118535

6. Yaroslavov A. A., Efimova A. A., Grokhovskaya T. E., Badikova A. G., Spiridonov V. V., Pozdyshev D. V., Lyulin S. V., Kenny J. M. Evolution of Microplastics Released from Tea Bags into Water. Polymers. 2025;17(19):2700. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17192700

7. Thompson R. C., Olsen Y., Mitchell R. P., Davis A., Rowland S. J., John A. W. G., McGonigle D., Russell A. E. Lost at sea: where is all the plastic? Science. 2004;304(5672):838. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1094559

8. Kumar V., Verma P. Unveiling the hidden threat of microplastic in paper cups and tea bags: a critical review of their exacerbation and alarming concern in India. Discover Applied Sciences. 2025;7(6):527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07121-y

9. Pérez P., Suñé-Negre J. M., Miñarro M., Roig M., Fuster R., García-Montoya E., Hernández C., Ruhí R., Ticó J. R. A new expert systems (SeDeM diagram) for control batch powder formulation and preformulation drug products. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 2006;64(3):351–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2006.06.008

10. Rashid I., Haddadin R. R., Alkafaween A. A., Alkaraki R. N., Alkasasbeh R. M. Understanding the implication of Kawakita model parameters using in-die force-displacement curve analysis for compacted and non-compacted API powders. AAPS Open. 2022;8(1):6 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41120-022-00053-6