Processes for recovering tocotrienols, tocopherols and tocotrienol-like compounds
AssigneeLipogenics, Inc.
InventorsRonald H. Lane, Kenneth W. Becker, Asaf A. Qureshi, D. Michael Wells
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Abstract
The present invention relates to processes for obtaining Tocol products, such as tocotrienols, tocopherols and tocotrienol-like compounds from plant sources in high yields. More particularly, this invention relates to processes for stabilizing and recovering Tocol products from plant materials, such as cereals, grains and grain oils. The Tocol products recovered according to this invention are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, food formulations and dietary supplements. These compositions, formulations and supplements advantageously lower the blood level of low density lipoproteins and total serum cholesterol in humans and animals.
Claims15
A process for enhancing the content of recoverable Tocol products in a plant source containing significant amounts of Tocol products and for obtaining a Tocol-rich oil, comprising the steps of:
- dry heating said plant source at a temperature of from about 80.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. for a period of time from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours;
- extracting the plant source with a solvent to obtain an oil-solvent mixture;
- removing solvent from said mixture to obtain a Tocol-rich oil;
- and,
- recovering Tocol products from said Tocol-rich oil.
A process for enhancing the content of recoverable Tocol products in a plant source containing significant amounts of Tocol products and for obtaining a Tocol-rich oil, comprising the steps of:
- dry heating said plant source at from about 150.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. for from about 5 minutes to about 4 hours;
- extracting the plant source with a solvent to obtain an oil-solvent mixture;
- removing solvent from said mixture to obtain a Tocol-rich oil;
- and,
- recovering Tocol products from said Tocol-rich oil.
A process for enhancing the content of recoverable Tocol products in a plant source containing significant amounts of Tocol products and for obtaining a Tocol-rich oil, comprising the steps of:
- dry heating said plant source at from 200.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. for 30 seconds to about 4 hours;
- extracting the plant source with a solvent to obtain an oil-solvent mixture;
- removing solvent from said mixture to obtain a Tocol-rich oil;
- and,
- recovering Tocol products from said Tocol-rich oil.
A process for enhancing the content of recoverable Tocol products in a plant source containing significant amounts of Tocol products and for obtaining a Tocol-rich oil, comprising the steps of:
- dry heating said plant source at 250.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. for from about 1 second to about 90 seconds;
- extracting the plant source with a solvent to obtain an oil-solvent mixture;
- removing solvent from said mixture to obtain a Tocol-rich oil;
- and,
- recovering Tocol products from said Tocol-rich oil.
A process for enhancing the content of recoverable Tocol products in a plant source containing significant amounts of Tocol products and for obtaining a Tocol-rich oil, comprising the steps of:
- dry heating said plant source at from 180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. for from 40 seconds to about 5 minutes;
- extracting the plant source with a solvent to obtain an oil-solvent mixture;
- removing solvent from said mixture to obtain a Tocol-rich oil;
- and,
- recovering Tocol products from said Tocol-rich oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.