Extraction and fractionation of biopolymers and resins from plant materials

Abstract

A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub ( Parthenium argentatum ), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.

1 . A method for removing rubber and resin from plant material—comprising:
 preparing die plant material for supercritical extraction;
 extracting resins from the plant material using supercritical solvent extraction; and 
 
 extracting rubber from the plant material using a co-solvent. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein preparing the plant material includes pre-treating the plant material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material is selected from a group consisting of virgin feedstock, bagasse and previously-extracted plant material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material is derived from a non- Hevea  plant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where in the plaint material is guayule. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent used in the supercritical extraction of the resin is a polar solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is a non-polar solvent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is hexane. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is iso-octane. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is cyclohexane. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is ethanol. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-solvent is acetone. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising drying the polar solvent extract and the non-polar solvent extract. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)