Ginkgo biloba flavonoid extract free of terpene and/or with a high flavonoid heteroside content

Abstract

A process for preparing a flavonoid extract from the leaves of ginkgo biloba comprising multiple distractions of the leaves of the ginkgo biloba with solvents wherein at least one of the extraction stages is a deterpenation step using a solvent of the formula RC(O)OR′ wherein R and R′ are individually lower alkyl.

1 . A flavonoid extract from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba, essentially free of terpenes.  
     
     
         2 . An extract as defined in    claim 1   , comprising maximally 1% and preferably less than 0.5% terpenes.  
     
     
         3 . A flavonoid extract from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba comprising 28 to 35% flavonoid heterosides, preferably from 28 to 32%.  
     
     
         4 . An extract as defined in any of claims  1  through  3 , essentially free of terpenes and comprising from 28 to 35% flavonoid heterosides.  
     
     
         5 . An extract as defined in    claim 4   , comprising maximally 1% terpenes, preferably maximally 0.5% terpenes, and from 28 to 32% flavonoid heterosides.  
     
     
         6 . A procedure for preparing an extract as defined in any of claims  1 ,  2 ,  4 , or  5 , which comprises several stages of extraction from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba with solvents, characterized in that one of the extraction stages is a deterpenation stage and the solvent used is a compound of formula RC(O)OR′ in which R and R′ represent independently a lower alkyl, alone or mixed with a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing at least 5 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         7 . A procedure as defined in    claim 6   , characterized in that the solvent used for the deterpenation stage is chosen from among methyl, ethyl, or propyl acetate, and comprises 0 to 20% saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon and especially heptane.  
     
     
         8 . A flavoring composition comprising as flavoring ingredient an extract according to any of claims  1  through  5 , alone or in association with other flavors.  
     
     
         9 . A product flavored with a composition according to    claim 8   .  
     
     
         10 . A product according to    claim 9    which is a dairy product and especially yogurt.  
     
     
         11 . A product according to    claim 9    which is a drink and especially a non-alcoholic soft drink.  
     
     
         12 . A product according to    claim 9    which is a sweetened product such as chewing gum or candy.  
     
     
         13 . The use of a composition according to    claim 8    in food products.  
     
     
         14 . The use [of a composition] according to    claim 13   , characterized in that the food product is a dairy product and especially yogurt.  
     
     
         15 . The use [of a composition] according to    claim 13    for drinks such as refreshing and nutritious drinks.  
     
     
         16 . The use of an extract according to any of claims  1  through  4  as food flavoring.