Plant extracts

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preparing an saponin-containing aqueous extract on the basis of a waste product from a butter tree of the Sapotaceae family, said method comprising the following steps: (i) mixing one part waste product with 4-30 parts of water; (ii) incubating the mixture formed in step (i) under alkaline conditions; and (iii) recovering an aqueous extract containing saponins by removing solids from the alkaline mixture formed in step (ii). The invention also relates to saponin-containing aqueous extracts obtainable by said method and uses thereof.

1 . A method of preparing an aqueous extract comprising saponins on basis of waste product from a shea butter tree, said method comprising the following steps: 
 (i) mixing one part waste product with 4-30 parts of water;    (ii) incubating the mixture formed in step (i) under alkaline conditions (pH>7); and (iii) recovering an aqueous extract comprising saponins by removing solids from the alkaline mixture formed in step (ii).    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline conditions are obtained by addition of an alkali in the form of a base and/or an alkaline buffer.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the alkali is selected from the group consisting of: potassium-, sodium-, calcium-, ammonium-hydroxide or potassium-, sodium-, calcium-, ammonium-, hydroxide carbonate.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the incubation in step (ii) is performed at a pH of 7-14, preferably 7-10.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the incubation step (ii) is performed at a temperature of between 15 and 95° C. at a period of between 10 minutes and 5 hours.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein solids are removed from the extract in step (iii) by filtration or centrifugation.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , yielding an extract containing at least 1 weight-% dry matter.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the extract obtained in step (iii) is further concentrated and/or purified by evaporation of water and/or ultrafiltration and/or recrystallisation.  
   
   
       9 . A butter tree extract obtainable by the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . A method of producing an aqueous extract enriched with sapogenins comprising the step of subjecting a saponin containing extract of  claim 9  to enzymatic or acid hydrolysis, and thereby obtaining an extract enriched with sapogenins.  
   
   
       11 . A sapogenin enriched extract obtainable by the method of  claim 10 .  
   
   
       12 . An extract of  claim 9 , wherein the active compounds are chemically modified to increase their solubility in oil.  
   
   
       13 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  as a food additive.  
   
   
       14 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a detergent product.  
   
   
       15 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a cosmetic product.  
   
   
       16 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for topical application.  
   
   
       17 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for lowering the level of serum cholesterol in a human being or in other mammals.  
   
   
       18 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for treatment of inflammatory diseases.  
   
   
       19 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for systemic administration.  
   
   
       20 . Use of an extract of  claim 9  in the manufacture of a nutritional supplement.