US 5,684,155 AGranted

Process for the extraction and purification of alkaloids

AssigneePolis A.G.

InventorsElisabeth Maria Rocha De Albuquerque Lucio, Claudio Luiz Correa Viana, Francisco Jose Falcao De Andrade, Marcello Burchianti, Gilberto Burchianti

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

A process for the extraction and purification of alkaloids from plant material wherein the first extraction is conducted with an aqueous solution of a strong acid and the acid extract is clarified by flocculation. The alkaloid is recovered from the clarified extract in a second extraction step by means of an organic solvent, or be absorption on a cationic exchange resin or by adsorption on an adsorbing material. The alkaloid is then recovered and purified. With respect to the known processes the extraction time is reduced as well as the isomerization cases and costs and risks involved with the use of organic solvents. Most of impurities are precipitated with the flocculation thus making easier the recovery of the alkaloid.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A process for the extraction and purification of an alkaloid or alkaloids from plant tissues comprising the steps of:

a) contacting the plant tissues, in a comminuted form, with an aqueous solution of a strong mineral or organic acid so as to accomplish a first extraction of the alkaloid or alkaloids, said first extraction being carried out at a temperature not greater than 60.degree. C. and said strong acid aqueous solution being at a concentration between 1 and 10%
b) clarifying the first extract;
c) subjecting said first clarified extract to a second extraction so as to obtain a solution containing the alkaloid in the form of a free basis or salt;
d) purifying the alkaloid in said second extract,
characterized in that the clarification step comprises adding one or more coagulative agents to said first extract to reach a concentration of said agents of at least 2 g/l in said first extract with the consequent flocculation and thickening of the suspended impurities.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.