Patent ID: 7368138
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: A61K,B01D

Abstract:
1. A method of extracting phytosterols from corn fiber comprising: a) combining corn fiber having one or more phytosterols with a green solvent selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl lactate, acetone, butanol, isoamyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and any combinations thereof to produce a mixture comprising said green solvent and said corn fiber, wherein said mixture further comprises one or more dissolved phytosterols from said corn fiber; b) removing said corn fiber from said mixture of a) to produce an extract; c) saponifying said extract of b) to produce a saponified extract; d) removing said green solvent from said saponified extract of c) to produce a saponified material; e) combining said saponified material of d) with an organic solvent thereby extracting water soluble components from said saponified material of d); f) removing said organic solvent of e) from said saponified material of e); and g) recovering said saponified material of f) to obtain a composition comprising phytosterols.