Patent ID: 8759547

Claim:
A process for extracting vitamin E from annatto plant matter, the process comprising the steps of: providing annatto plant matter; converting the plant matter of the providing annatto step into a form having increased contact area; providing amla plant matter; converting the plant matter of the providing amla step into a form having increased contact area; producing a mixture that is more acidic than the annatto plant matter by mixing the annatto form having increased contact area with the amla form having increased contact area; extracting the mixture formed in the mixing step with one of water and dilute aqueous plant extract at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined period of time to obtain a first extract and spent plant matter, the dilute aqueous extract used in the extracting step being a first extract from at least one previously conducted extracting process; concentrating the first extract; and drying the first extract to yield a vitamin E product, water or the first extract being the sole solvent utilized in the extraction process.