Compositions containing a high content of proanthocyanidins and methods of preparation and use thereof

Abstract

A process of extracting proanthocyanidins (PACs) from plant materials using an ethanol or acetone solvent is described. Plant materials from one or more plant species are mixed with ethanol or acetone at a ratio of extraction solvent to plant material between 3:1 and 8:1. The mixture is then filtered and the filtrate concentrated by evaporation. The extraction process leads to an increase in the total PAC content and in the total A-type PAC content in the degree of polymerization from dimers to pentamers. Formulations containing such PAC-enriched compositions have antioxidant, antibiotic, and antiviral properties and have a negligible allergen content.

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