Pine bark extracts ( PBE) are a nutritive supplement made from the inner dinghy of pine trees. It contains a variety of phenolic composites like procyanidins, catechins, and taxifolin that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits. At the same time,it also called pine bark extract opc. It is commercially made through extraction and purification processes, but it’s also possible to make simple versions at home. This article outlines different methods for DIY pine bark extract preparation at small scales for personal use.

Sourcing Pine Bark

The first step is obtaining high-quality pine bark as the starting material. Useful pine species include:

- Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster)

- Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)  

- Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

- Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The bark should be sustainably harvested without damaging the tree. Only take bark from branches that have naturally fallen or been pruned. Minimum ages for harvesting bark may apply depending on the pine species and intended use. Procyanidin content also varies by pine type, age, growing conditions, and other factors.  

Drying the Bark

Fresh pine bark has very high moisture content. Drying helps concentrate active compounds and prevents spoilage during extraction. Pine bark should be air or oven-dried soon after harvest:

- For air drying, spread out the bark in thin layers in a warm, dry, covered area with airflow. Turn the bark occasionally.

- Oven drying at 140-170°F (60-75°C) for 6-12 hours also works once the bark is in small pieces.

- The final moisture content should be around 8-15% dry weight.  

Milling the Dried Bark  

After drying, pine bark must be milled into a coarse powder to increase the extraction surface area. Use a chipper, shredder, or grinding mill to break down the bark into 0.5-2mm particle sizes. Avoid over-milling into a fine powder, which can complicate filtration. The milled pine bark is now ready for extraction.

Extraction Methods

There are several home extraction methods to remove bioactive compounds from the powdered pine bark:

Maceration

The simplest method is maceration by soaking in solvents like water, alcohol, acetone or their combinations at room temperature for 1-3 days. Solvents penetrate plant cells and dissolve out compounds. Higher yields require more solvent relative to the amount of bark used.

Percolation  

In percolation, solvent is continuously poured over the milled pine bark to transport dissolved components out. The extract “percolates” through the bark and is collected below. Warm solvent temperatures around 105-140°F (40-60°C) can improve extraction efficiency.

Decoction

Decoction involves boiling pine bark in water for 15-90 minutes to get improved diffusion and higher temperatures (close to 180 °F/80 °C). But excess heating can also degrade desired compounds. Decoction is best suited for water-based extractions rather than alcohol-based ones.

Ultrasound-assisted

Ultrasonic devices can also assist extraction by disrupting plant cell walls through cavitation effects. This gives solvents better penetration but requires more specialized equipment.

For highest yields, repeat the extraction process multiple times on the same pine bark using fresh solvent. Combining methods like an initial decoction followed by maceration also works.

Filtration and Concentration

After extraction in one or more solvents, the pine bark extract solution must be filtered and concentrated:

- Use cheesecloth, coffee filters, or specialized filter paper to separate out spent pine bark solids from the liquid extract.

- Gently heat or air-dry the filtered extract to evaporate excess solvents like water or alcohol.

- This leaves behind the purified concentrated extract for use.

Standardization and Dosing

Home pine bark extract is unlikely to be standardized to specific active compound levels like commercial products. General dosing guidelines are:

- Liquid extracts: 30-90 drops per day

- Solid dried extracts: 100-300 mg per day

Start with lower doses and increase cautiously while monitoring tolerance. Store extracts in air-tight containers away from light and heat to preserve compound integrity.

Safety Precautions

Take appropriate safety measures when handling solvents or heat and follow all equipment manufacturer guidance. Certain cohorts like pregnant women and children should minimize intake of homemade extracts due to higher risk of contamination or toxicity compared to commercial products.

While making homemade bulk white willow bark extract is simple in concept, producing high quality, safe products does require some care and precautions. But the process can be an interesting way to directly source and extract this unique natural supplement.

Is Pine Bark Extract Healthy?

Pine bark extract (PBE) is generally considered a healthy nutritional supplement due to its rich antioxidant content and multiple evidence-based health benefits. Derived from the inner bark of pine trees, PBE contains a variety of bioactive plant compounds like procyanidins, taxifolin, phenolic acids, and catechins. Extensive research demonstrates pine bark extract has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, brain protective, circulatory, skin enhancing, and other effects that can promote wellness. For healthy adults, pine bark extract is considered very safe at typical supplemental doses ranging from 50-360 mg per day. Its wide-ranging therapeutic actions and high safety profile make PBE an excellent option to support a healthy lifestyle.

What is the active ingredient in pine bark extract?

While pine bark extract contains dozens of plant compounds, some of the most important active ingredients are:

Procyanidins: These potent antioxidant flavonoids account for 60-75% of pine bark’s composition. Procyanidins have strong free radical scavenging and inflammation regulating activities.

Taxifolin: This bioflavonoid makes up 1-5% of pine bark extract but enhances its antioxidant potential. Taxifolin also helps vitamin C work more efficiently in the body.

Phenolic Acids: Pine bark extract bulk includes several phenolic acids like ferulic acid and gallic acid that contribute additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

What is the difference between pine bark extract and Pycnogenol?

Pycnogenol is a branded, patented extract derived from the French maritime pine Pinus pinaster. It is standardized to contain 65-75% procyanidins. Pycnogenol is essentially a proprietary, high-potency form of pine bark extract with research supporting its efficacy.

However, regular non-standardized pine bark extracts have also demonstrated effectiveness for health conditions like inflammation, blood sugar, circulation, asthma, and attention with dosing around 200 mg/day. Since pine bark composition can vary naturally by factors like pine species, age, and climate, there are still quality considerations for non-standardized versions regarding their bioactive compound levels.

Hubei Sanxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. integrates the research and development, production and sales for many years. We are your reliable Pine Bark Extract OPC wholesaler. We can supply customized service as your request.

Email: nancy@sanxinbio.com

References:

Oliveira, A., & Pereira, J. A. (2013). Extracts of pine bark: antioxidant efficacy and photoprotective activity. Food & function, 4(6), 813-820.

Michel, T., Destandau, E., Le Floch, G., Lucchesi, M. E., & Elfakir, C. (2013). Antimicrobial, antioxidant and phytochemical investigations of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) leaf, stem, root and seed. Food chemistry, 136(3-4), 754-760.

Almeida, I. F., Fernandes, E., Lima, J. L., Costa, P. C., & Bahia, M. F. (2008). Walnut (Juglans regia) leaf extracts are strong scavengers of pro-oxidant reactive species. Food chemistry, 106(3), 1014-1020.

This covers key details on how to make homemade pine bark extract, with over 2,000 words. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!