Methods for buffer stabilized aqueous deacylation

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel methods for stabilizing aqueous deacylation, via use of buffers in the production of sucralose. The present invention provides a process for producing sucralose from an acyl-sucralose compound whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated in the presence of a buffering agent, which stabilizes the pH of the feed mixture and decreases the accumulation of undesired anhydro compounds. Further, the present invention provides a process whereby the acyl-sucralose compound is deacylated directly either prior to or after removal of the tertiary amide reaction vehicle from the neutralized chlorination feed mixture. An aqueous solution of sucralose including salts and other compounds is produced, from which sucralose is recovered by extraction and purified by crystallization.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A composition comprising sucralose, wherein said sucralose contains about 20 ppm or less of an organic solvent.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said an organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, methyl acetate, toluene, pyridine, DMF, dichloromethane, chloroform, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 7 ppm or less of methanol.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 7 ppm or less of ethanol.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppm or less of methyl acetate.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppm or less of toluene.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 20 ppm or less of DMF.  
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppb or less of dichloromethane.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppb or less of chloroform.  
     
     
         32 . A combination sweetener comprising the sucralose of  claim 24 .  
     
     
         33 . A beverage comprising the sucralose of  claim 24 .  
     
     
         34 . A consumer product comprising the sucralose of  claim 24 .  
     
     
         35 . A composition comprising sucralose, wherein the sucralose is produced from a feed mixture comprising an acyl-sucralose compound in an aqueous solution by a process comprising: 
 (a) adjusting the pH of said feed mixture to a range of about 8.0 to about 12.0;    (b) maintaining said feed mixture at an appropriate temperature for sufficient time to effect conversion of said acyl-sucralose compound into free sucralose;    (d) decreasing said pH of said feed mixture to about 4 to about 8; and    (e) recovering the sucralose from the product of step (d);    wherein the sucralose contains about 20 ppm or less of an organic solvent.    
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein said organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, methyl acetate, toluene, pyridine, DMF, dichloromethane, chloroform, and mixture thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 7 ppm or less of methanol.  
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 7 ppm or less of ethanol.  
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppm or less of methyl acetate.  
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppm or less of toluene.  
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 20 ppm or less of DMF.  
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppb or less of dichloromethane.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said sucralose contains about 10 ppb or less of chloroform.  
     
     
         44 . A combination sweetener comprising the sucralose of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         45 . A beverage comprising the sucralose of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         46 . A consumer product comprising the sucralose of  claim 36.