Processes for extracting carotenoids and for preparing feed materials
AssigneeFermentron Ltd.
InventorsMichael Kagan, Sergei Braun
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Abstract
A general process for the extraction of carotenoids from a carotenoid source such as a biomass, which may be various biomasses including the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma, comprises treating the carotenoid source at an elevated temperature with a solvent mixture comprising water, a hydrophobic carotenoid solvent such as vegetable oil and a water soluble co-solvent such as ethanol so as to extract the carotenoid source into the hydrophobic solvent. Benefits include (a) the ease of incorporation into the diet, (b) the increased bioavailability achieved and, (c) the ease of stabilization against oxidation.
Claims16
A process for the extraction of a carotenoid from a biomass carotenoid source comprising treating the biomass at an elevated temperature with a solvent mixture comprising water, a hydrophobic carotenoid solvent and a water miscible co-solvent so as to form an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase containing the hydrophobic solvent and to extract the carotenoid from the biomass into the hydrophobic solvent wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of from 50° C. upwards.
A process for preparing a solution of a carotenoid in an edible oil, comprising mixing a solution of said carotenoid in a volatile, water immiscible solvent with said edible oil and evaporating the water immiscible solvent from said mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.