Extraction of b-vitamins from plant matter

Abstract

A process for the extraction of the B group of vitamins from a first plant matter is disclosed wherein, prior to the said extraction operation, the first plant matter is treated with a second plant matter comprising acidic compounds. The acidification converts the vitamins into more water-soluble forms and increases the yield thereof. In one example, the first plant matter comprises guava fruit matter, holy basil leaves and lemon peels, the two last-mentioned plant species being the source of the acidic compounds. The vitamins extracted and the proportions thereof may be controlled by suitable choice of the plant species constituting the first and second plant matters and their quantities, such as to give a substantially ready formulation conforming to RDA values or other requirements. The vitamins extracted are B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9, the above combination of plant matters giving a higher yield than others. The process is of general applicability to other plant constituents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s), comprising:
 (iv) providing one or more first plant matter(s) containing one or more of the B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents desired to be extracted;   (v) treating the first plant matter(s) with one or more acidic compound(s) to render one or more of the B-vitamin components and nutrients that are water-soluble into form(s) that are more water-soluble and/or to render one or more of the B-vitamin components and nutrients that are water-insoluble into form(s) that are water-soluble; and   (vi) extracting the mixture of the first plant matter(s) and the one or more acidic compounds with water or a dilute aqueous extract solution, the dilute aqueous extract being an extract solution from at least one previously conducted extraction process.   
     
     
         2 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 1 , the first plant matter(s) being treated with a second plant matter(s), the second plant matter(s) comprising the one or more acidic compound(s) for the treatment of the first plant matter(s). 
     
     
         3 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the second plant matter(s) comprising one or more of the B group of vitamins and nutrients and performing a dual role in the said process by being a source of both said acidic compound(s) and the one or more of the said B group of vitamins and nutrients. 
     
     
         4 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 1 , the first plant matter(s) comprising one or more acidic component(s) and performing a dual role in the process by being both a source of one or more B group vitamins and a source of one or more acidic compound(s). 
     
     
         5 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant, matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the treating and extracting steps being carried out substantially simultaneously by dispersing (slurrying) the said first and second plant matter(s) in the water solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 5 , the first plant matter(s) comprising guava fruits, holy basil leaves and lemon peels and the second plant matter(s) comprising lemon peels and holy basil leaves, the holy basil leaves and lemon peels being in a dual role of being a source for both the said B vitamins and other nutrients and the said acidic compound(s). 
     
     
         7 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 6 , the process comprising multiple stages of extraction, the solvent used in the extracting step comprising a dilute aqueous extract solution or dilutions thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the treating step comprising pulping the first and second plant matter(s), contacting the said to plant matter(s) in their pulped forms tot a length of time, and subsequently contacting the contacted two plant matters with the water solvent. 
     
     
         9 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the said first and second plant matter(s) being subjected to one or more preparatory operations selected from the group consisting of washing, cleaning, dicing, cutting, drying, crushing, grinding, milling, screening and blanching. 
     
     
         10 . An extract product produced by a process as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 5 , the treatment step further comprising convening the first and second plant matters into a powder form. 
     
     
         12 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the first plant matter(s) and the second plant matter(s) and the proportion in which the first plant matter(s) and the second plant matter(s) are combined being selected in order to provide an extract comprising B group vitamins, the B group vitamins in the solution extract product being present in proportions corresponding to those required for particular treatments or nutrition or corresponding to medical, nutritional, or therapeutic standards established by a governmental or professional body. 
     
     
         13 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 12 , the selection of the first plant matter(s), the second plant matter(s), and the proportion in which the first plant matter(s) and the second plant matter(s) are combined being further optimized to maximize the yield of the extract and/or the rate of the extraction. 
     
     
         14 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 12 , the selection of the first plant matter(s), the second plant matter(s), and the proportion in which the first plant matter(s) and the second plant matter(s) are combined being further optimized to minimize the extraction of vitamin and mineral components of the first and second plant matters that are not desired. 
     
     
         15 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 2 , the process providing an extract comprising B group vitamins without isolation of the B group vitamin components of the extract separately. 
     
     
         16 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 17 , the extract being obtained in a single extraction operation, 
     
     
         17 . A process for the extraction of B vitamins and other nutrients from plant matter(s), comprising:
 providing one or more first plant matter(s) containing one or more of the B vitamins and other nutrients and constituents desired to be extracted;   treating the first plant matter(s) with one or more second plant matter(s) comprising one or more acidic constituents;   extracting the mixture of the first plant matter(s) and the second plant matter(s) with water or a dilute aqueous extract solution, the dilute aqueous extract solution being an extract solution from at least one previously conducted extraction, to obtain an extract solution product; and   removing the solvent from the extract solution product to yield a concentrated extract product.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , the dilute aqueous extract solution being a first extract solution from at least one previously conducted extraction, the concentrated extract product being a semi-solid or solid extract product. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising drying the concentrated extract product to yield a solid form extract product and subjecting the solid form extract product to at least one finishing operation selected from the group consisting of powdering, sieving, sifting, mixing and homogenizing. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising producing a solid form extract by adsorbing the concentrated extract product on a suitable excipient and adopting a suitable binder as required. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising converting the concentrated extract product into any of the known dosage forms. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17 , the process farther comprising converting the B group of vitamins and other nutrients in the concentrated extract product into an of the known pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising adopting any of the known pharmaceutical carriers for the B vitamins and other nutrients of the concentrated extract product 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising incorporating into the concentrated extract product additives for one or more of color, texture, taste, flavour, bulk and odor. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising topping-up of one or more B vitamins and other nutrients to bring the concentrated extract product into correspondence with a desired standard or specification. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 17 , the process further comprising enhancing the efficacy or assimilability of one or more B vitamins and other nutrients in the concentrated extract product. 
     
     
         27 . The process for the extraction of B-vitamins and other nutrients and constituents from plant matter(s) as claimed in the preceding  claim 17 , the extract comprising B group vitamins in proportion according to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) values, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Daily Values, or other medical, nutritional, or therapeutic standards established by a governmental or professional body. 
     
     
         28 . A process for the extraction of B vitamins from plant matter(s), comprising:
 providing one or more first plant matter(s) including one or more B vitamins;   treating the first plant matter(s) with one or more second plant matter(s), the second plant matter(s) including one or more acidic compounds selected, from the group consisting of acid(s) from Amla fruit matter, acid(s) from Holy basil leaf matter, acid(s) from lemon peel matter, organic acid(s) derivable from other plant matter(s), sardine acid, citric, acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid and mixtures thereof to convert the B vitamins in the first plant matter(s) that are water-soluble into a form that is more water-soluble and/or to convert the B-vitamins in the first plant matter(s) that are water-insoluble into a form that is water-soluble; and   extracting the mixture of the first plant matter(s), the second plant matter(s) and the one or more acidic compounds with water or a dilute aqueous extract solution to yield the B vitamins.   
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 28 , at least one of the second plant matter(s) performing a dual role in the process by being a source of at least one B vitamin and at least one of the one or more acidic compounds.