Patent ID: 7629007
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: A23L,C07C,C09B

Abstract:
1. A method for obtaining free xanthophylls comprising: providing a xanthophyll-containing plant-derived oleoresin; saponifying the plant-derived oleoresin to obtain a saponified resin; washing the saponified resin with a salt solution selected from the group consisting of a sodium or potassium salt solution; repeating the washing with the salt solution until the pH of the resin is about 6.5 to 9; washing the resin with a non-polar solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane, pentane, heptane and petroleum ether to remove lipid components; washing the resin at least once with an increased polarity solvent selected from the group consisting of mixtures of alcohol/water, acetonitrile/water, acetone/water, and acetic acid/water; washing the resin with water to remove solvent; and filtering and/or drying the resin to obtain free xanthophylls.