# US 4,395,431 A · Processing of hop resins and similar materials

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- Number: US 4,395,431 A
- Document ID: US4395431A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/149,566
- Filed: 1980-05-14
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1979-05-15
- Assignees: Carlton and United Breweries Limited
- Inventors: David G. Lance; Raymond N. Skinner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395431A

## CPC

- C12C 3/12: Isomerised products from hops
- C12C 3/00: Treatment of hops
- C12C 3/10: using carbon dioxide
- C12C 5/026: {Beer flavouring preparations}
- C12C 3/08: Solvent extracts from hops
- C12C: BEER; PREPARATION OF BEER BY FERMENTATION (ageing or ripening by storing C12H1/22; methods for reducing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H3/00; methods for increasing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H6/00; venting devices for casks, barrels or the like C12L9/00); PREPARATION OF MALT FOR MAKING BEER; PREPARATION OF HOPS FOR MAKING BEER

## Abstract

A method for the solvent-free processing and/or handling of a complex organic mixture, characterized in that the mixture is coated on to an inert hydrophobic support prior to such processing or handling. Also included is a method for separating a two-phase system having a phase comprising a complex organic mixture and an aqueous phase by contact with an inert hydrophobic support. The invention is particularly concerned with the treatment of complex materials of a resinous nature, especially those of plant origin and, specifically, hop resins. The invention further includes a method for the selective extraction of hop resin components wherein a hop resin extract is coated onto an inert hydrophobic support, from which components of the resin can be selectively extracted.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a hop resin product comprising the steps of:
contacting an inert hydrophobic support with a solvent-free two phase system comprising a hop resin extract and an aqueous phase to effect coating of said resin onto said support, and
separating the resin-coated support from said system.

### Claim 2

A method for the selective extraction of hop resin components comprising the steps of:
contacting an inert hydrophobic support with a solvent-free two-phase system comprising a hop resin extract and an aqueous phase to effect coating of said resin onto said support and
selectively extracting components of said resin from said inert hydrophobic support.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the resin-coated support is contacted with an aqueous solution of an alkali salt at a suitable pH to thereby selectively extract the .alpha.-acids.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A method as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that after extraction of the .alpha.-acids, the .beta.-acids are extracted by contact of the coated support with aqueous alkali at a suitable pH.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2, 3)

A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the resin-coated support is contained in one or more columns through which the alkaline solution is passed to effect the extraction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that prior to extraction the resin while on the support is reacted with a suspension of an alkaline earth oxide or hydroxide to thereby isomerize the .alpha.-acids in the resin.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that prior to extraction the resin while coated on the support is heated in the presence of a metallic hydride to isomerise and reduce the .alpha.-acids.