Process for extracting lignans from flaxseed
US5705618A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07H1/08
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is described for extracting lignans from flaxseed which comprises contacting a substantially oil-free flaxseed meal with an aliphatic alcohol solvent, e.g. a mixture of methanol or ethanol with water, to extract lignans into the alcohol solvent and separating residual solids from the lignan-rich alcohol solvent. The lignan-rich alcohol solvent is concentrated by removing solvent therefrom and the lignan concentrate obtained is subjected to a base-catalyzed hydrolysis to liberate lignans therefrom in a non-complexed form. Thereafter, the hydrolyzed concentrate is subjected to either a liquid/liquid partition, e.g. by an ethyl acetate/water system, or anion exchange to further enrich the lignans and the lignan-enriched solution thus obtained is subjected to chromatographic separation to isolate lignans at a purity of greater than 90 percent. The lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, was found in amounts of up to 20 mg per gram of defatted flaxseed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.