High yield process for producing theaflavins and products of such process

Abstract

A method for the production of black tea theaflavins from green tea polyphenols through use of mushroom tyrosinase, and therapeutic agents of such process.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A therapeutic agent produced by a process comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.  
     
     
         3 . A sunburn preventative agent produced by a process comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 3  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.  
     
     
         5 . A sunburn therapeutic agent produced by a process comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 5  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.  
     
     
         7 . A nutritional supplement produced by a process comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 7  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.  
     
     
         9 . A chemopreventative agent produced by a process comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 9  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a disease preventative and therapeutic agent comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a first measure of green tea polyphenols; and    mixing said green tea polyphenols with a second measure of tyrosinase.    
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 10  wherein the process further comprises the step of extracting the mixture of said green tea polyphenols and tyrosinase after a period of oxidation reaction there between which produces theaflavins, but before the substantial formation compounds other than theaflavins.