A 15:1 extract signifies a concentration ratio where 15 parts of the original raw material have been processed to yield one part of the concentrated extract. Determining the precise percentage of the original plant material present in the final extract requires understanding the extraction process and the solubility of the desired compounds. As an example, consider a plant material containing 10% of a target compound. After a 15:1 extraction, the final extract aims to contain a significantly higher percentage of that compound, but not necessarily a direct 15-fold increase due to losses during processing and the presence of other extracted constituents.
The practice of concentrating plant extracts serves multiple purposes. It allows for a smaller dosage of a product while still achieving the desired therapeutic effect. Furthermore, concentrating an extract can remove unwanted compounds, leading to a purer and more effective product. Historically, the concentration of plant materials has been crucial in traditional medicine, enabling practitioners to create potent remedies from readily available but often less concentrated sources. This approach allowed for efficient storage and transportation of beneficial plant compounds.
