Thai alumnus Dr Aluck Thipayarat is an Assistant Professor in Food Engineering at King Mongkut's University of Tehcnology Thoburi, Thailand. He is also an innovator who uses technology to transform low value agricultural produce into effective medicinal ingredients, using a highly efficient extraction process.
We asked Aluck about his innovation and experience of the LIF programme:
Can you briefly describe your innovation and tell us what inspired you to create it?
My innovation is an efficient process to extract essential oils from herbs and flowers.
Most conventional extraction processes, such as steam distillation and solvent maceration, give poor yields and require large systems, high energy use and long processing times. This slows the progress made into developing herbal remedies and extracting value-added substances from perishable crops. This is particularly acute in low to middle-income countries with agriculture-based economies, where medicinal herbs and therapeutic fragrant flowers are often abundant but technology to extract active herbal ingredients isn't available.
Cultures and peoples survive and thrive in remote areas without easy access to modern medicines and hospitals. This is creating a big drive in exploring traditional and complementary medicines by the WHO and UN.
My aim is to use technology to transform low value agricultural produce into effective medicinal ingredients for the world. My inspiration comes from various local remedies and traditional medicine, for example CBD (cannabinoid), which was previously controversial and is now used medically to treat various health conditions.
What are the main lessons you learned through the LIF training and follow-on support?
The whole programme, especially the two-week residential training in London, is so valuable and tailored for those starting out their entrepreneurial journey. I could pinpoint the exact classes and mentors that were most useful to me, but it was the overall experience that provided valuable development and dramatically transformed my thinking: the conversations I had with other LIF fellows, mentors and guest speakers, and the pitching experience.
The opportunities and exposure that the training, as well as becoming part of the Academy’s network, provided helped me and the others grow in an organic way to become successful entrepreneurs. I would not be where I am today without LIF, without the connections I made and networks it opened to me.
LIF allowed me to meet and connect with ordinary people that are exceptional entrepreneurs. This exposure showed that I too have the potential to be successful if I just keep doing what I am doing exceptionally well and do not give up. The programme feels like it has been the catalyst to launch me off the ground.
What stage are you at now and do you have any immediate plans for your innovation?
Together with Vatin Co. Ltd I have developed the HerbX Tractor, an affordable semi-continuous SCCE (supercritical CO2 extraction) machine designed for industrial-scale use. We have also developed an extractor prototype called HerbPresso that yields highly concentrated extracts from flowers and other plants, and is easier to operate. The idea behind HerbPresso is to use the different solvating properties of refrigerants to extract a variety of solute profiles from the same plant matrix.
I have just finished a minimal viable prototype ready to test with the research and development department of a Japanese household products company. If they like my extractor and the extracted essential oils, then we will be in business. If not, we will continue to find more customers and marketing networks. All has been going well but we hope our business will not be affected by COVID-19.
What recognition has your innovation had so far in your country or abroad?
In Thailand, I have exhibited my extractor prototypes at three national events, including COSMEX 2019. I have demonstrated my extractor at the Ministry of Public Health to extract CBD with high yields from hemp - people there were amazed! We have also made extracts from other herbal samples for a few local clients here.
Internationally, we received a gold medal from Korea Innovation Exhibition and a special award from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. One of my extractor prototypes was also featured on the front cover of Tobacco Asia magazine.
What one tip would you give to your fellow innovators and researchers?
If it has always been your passion, you can carry it all the way!
Find out more about Dr Aluck Thipayarat