Process for extracting lignans from flaxseed

Abstract

A process is described for extracting lignans from flaxseed which comprises contacting a substantially oil-free flaxseed meal with an aliphatic alcohol solvent, e.g. a mixture of methanol or ethanol with water, to extract lignans into the alcohol solvent and separating residual solids from the lignan-rich alcohol solvent. The lignan-rich alcohol solvent is concentrated by removing solvent therefrom and the lignan concentrate obtained is subjected to a base-catalyzed hydrolysis to liberate lignans therefrom in a non-complexed form. Thereafter, the hydrolyzed concentrate is subjected to either a liquid/liquid partition, e.g. by an ethyl acetate/water system, or anion exchange to further enrich the lignans and the lignan-enriched solution thus obtained is subjected to chromatographic separation to isolate lignans at a purity of greater than 90 percent. The lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, was found in amounts of up to 20 mg per gram of defatted flaxseed.

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