Patent ID: 6171638
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for separating a plurality of forms of isoflavone fractions consisting of one or more forms of isoflavones in an aqueous plant starting material, said process comprising the steps of:(a) heating an aqueous plant starting material to a constant temperature selected on a basis of an aqueous solubility for a desired isoflavone fraction containing at least one isoflavone that is to be recovered;(b) passing the heated starting material of step (a) through an ultrafiltration membrane to obtain a permeate, the membrane having a cut-off which passes said at least one isoflavone fraction;(c) treating the permeate with an adsorptive material;(d) washing the material of step (c) in water;(e) eluting said at least one isoflavone fraction from the water-washed adsorptive material of step (d) with an aqueous alcohol solvent to form a stream;(f) removing the aqueous alcohol from the stream formed during the elution of step (e) so as to promote crystallization of said at least one isoflavone fraction;(g) drying the product of step (f) to form dry particles;(h) adding a solvent to the dried product of step (g) to form a mixture; and(i) separating the crystallized isoflavone fraction containing said at least one isoflavone from the mixture of step (h) to provide a product in a dry or liquid form.