Patent ID: 8414665

Claim:
A process for extracting functionally effective organic molecules comprising humic acids and fulvic acids from lignite, said extraction process comprising steps of: (a) adding 5 to 25% of hydrogen peroxide with micronized lignite at a ratio of 1:2 to 1:5 (v/w), the hydrogen peroxide thus used is cooled up to about −20° C. prior to addition; (b) allowing the hydrogen peroxide to react with the micronized lignite at 10° to 15° C. for one hour to cleave the micronized lignite and then allow the reaction to proceed at 20° C. for three hours; (c) repeating step (b) more than once to complete cleavage of micronized lignite; (d) adding 50% hydrogen peroxide directly to a mixture of cleaved lignite obtained from steps (a)-(c) at 25° to 30° C. at a ratio of 1:1 (v/w); and (e) extracting a resultant mixture with water and centrifuging the same at 5,000 to 10,000 RPM using continuous centrifugation to obtain a liquid sample of functionally effective organic molecules, wherein the functionally effective organic molecules thus extracted predominantly comprise humic acids and fulvic acids having molecular weight below 1000 daltons; and wherein the functionally effective organic molecules thus extracted either (i) possesses an decontaminating capability of toxic heavy metals present in an aqueous solution; or (ii) possesses an enhancing property on plant growth and yield; or (iii) possesses both (i) or (ii) above; and wherein the liquid sample comprising the functionally effective organic molecules exhibit a characteristic absorbance peaks at 1600±200 cm −1 when analyzed by FTIR using a calcium fluoride cell.