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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #177707
Title: EXTRACTION OF CAROTENOIDS FROM PLANT MATERIAL

Author
item Ishida, Betty
item Chapman, Mary
item RANDHAVA, SARABIT - UNITEL TECHNOLOGIES, IL
item RANDHAVA, SIKANDER - UNITEL TECHNOLOGIES, IL

Submitted to: Patent Application
Publication Type: Patent Application
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/28/2004
Publication Date: 12/28/2004
Citation: Ishida, B.K., Chapman, M.H., Randhava, S.S., Randhava, S.S. 2005. Extraction of carotenoids from plant material. Patent Application Serial No. 60/640,029 Filed 12/28/2004.

Interpretive Summary: The invention is directed to methods to extract carotenoids from carotenoid-containing plant material using ethyl lactate, an extraction solvent that is non-toxic, food-friendly, and biodegradable. The solvent also presents minimal hazard resulting from flammability. The invention is also directed to other products obtained in the process. A sample of dry, particulate, carotenoid-containing plant material is extracted, using the solvent to extract the carotenoids. After extraction, the carotenoid-containing extract is separated from the remaining plant solids and treated to separate the dissolved carotenoids from the solvent to produce a carotenoid concentrate. This concentrate can be used directly or treated further to remove other contained components. The extraction solvent then can be recycled for further use.

Technical Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for extraction of carotenoids from carotenoid-containing plant material using an extraction solvent comprising ethyl lactate. The invention is also directed to products obtained thereby. In the invention method, a sample of dry, particulate carotenoid-containing plant material is contacted with the ethyl lactate extraction solvent to extract the carotenoids. The invention also includes the use of an ethyl lactate-ethanol blend as the extraction solvent. After extraction, the solvent containing the extracted carotenoids is separated from the extracted plant solids and treated to separate the dissolved carotenoids from the extraction solvent and obtain a carotenoid-containing concentrate. The concentrated carotenoid product may be used directly or may be subjected to further treatment. After removal of the dissolved carotenoids, the extraction solvent can be recycled for further use.