Fruit extracts

Abstract

Provided are methods of making an extract of fruit of the Solanaceae family wherein fruit is processed to optimise the platelet aggregation inhibiting activity of the extract. The methods involve preparing a start mix of homogenised fruit; separating a water soluble fraction from fruit solids; filtration of the water soluble fraction; and concentration of active agents in the filtration permeate. The invention also provides fruit extracts manufactured by such methods, and also fruit extracts containing glycosylated phenolic acid or a phenolic ester, or derivatives thereof, a glycosylated flavonoid; and a nucleoside. The extracts of the invention are useful as medicaments for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition characterised by inappropriate platelet aggregation. In particular, the medicaments may be of use in maintaining heart health by reducing platelet aggregation; benefiting the circulation; and/or normalizing or otherwise benefiting blood flow.

1 . A method of making an extract of fruit of the Solanaceae family wherein fruit is processed to optimise the platelet aggregation inhibiting activity of the extract comprising the steps of:
 (a) Preparing a start mix of homogenised fruit;   (b) Separating a water soluble fraction from fruit solids;   (c) filtration of the water soluble fraction; and   (d) concentration of active agents in the filtration permeate   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the holding temperature of the start mix does not exceed 35° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the pH of the start mix does not exceed 5.5 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the browning index of the start mix, defined as the absorbance of the soluble portion at 420 nm, does not exceed 0.4 AU at 4% solids. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein step (b) separates the fraction from insoluble solids with particle size >500μ. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein step (b) does not involve a procedure that raises the temperature of the fraction above 60° C. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein step (c) results in a solution that will pass through a 0.2μ filter without loss of solids. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein step (d) does not involve a procedure that raises the temperature of the fraction above 60° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising after step (c) removing free sugars from the water soluble extract. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the sugars are removed by resin-mediated separation of the extract components 
     
     
         11 . A method of making an extract of fruit essentially as described in Examples 2 or 3. 
     
     
         12 . A fruit extract prepared according to the method defined by  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A fruit extract comprising:
 (a) glycosylated phenolic acid or a phenolic ester, or derivatives thereof;   (b) a glycosylated flavonoid; and   (c) a nucleoside.   
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A fruit extract prepared according the method of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         22 . A method for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition characterised by inappropriate platelet aggregation, comprising:
 providing a fruit extract according to  claim 12 ; and   administering the fruit extract to the subject to treat or prevent the medical condition.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the treatment or prevention of the medical condition characterised by inappropriate platelet aggregation is for a purpose selected from the group consisting of: maintaining heart health by reducing platelet aggregation; benefiting the circulation; and normalizing or otherwise benefiting blood flow. 
     
     
         24 . A method for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition in a subject characterised by inappropriate platelet aggregation, comprising:
 (a) providing a fruit extract according to  claim 13 ; and   (b) administering the fruit extract to the subject to treat or prevent the medical condition.   
     
     
         25 . A method for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition in a subject characterised by inappropriate platelet aggregation, comprising:
 (a) providing a fruit extract according to  claim 21 ; and   (b) administering the fruit extract to the subject to treat or prevent the medical condition.