Extraction method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing an extract derived from sugar cane, the process comprising: i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising at least about 50% v/v ethanol; ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture; iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a super-natant; and iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane. The present invention further relates to extracts produced according to the process of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of such extracts in a method of lowering the available calorific value of a food or beverage, in treating or preventing disease, and as a nutritional supplement, dietary supplement, sports nutrition product, food coating or pharmaceutical product.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 25 mg/ml flavonoids, and/or at least 25 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises one or more of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         12 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of lowering the available calorific value of a food or beverage, the method comprising adding an extract derived from sugar cane to the food or beverage,
 wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is produced by a process comprising:   i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising from about 70% to about 85% v/v ethanol;   ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture;   iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and   iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.   
     
     
         17 . A method of treating type II diabetes and/or obesity in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an extract derived from sugar cane,
 wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is produced by a process comprising:   i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising from about 70% to about 85% v/v ethanol;   ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture;   iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and   iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 25 mg/ml flavonoids, and/or at least 25 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises one or more of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating inflammatory disorders and diseases in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an extract derived from sugar cane,
 wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is produced by a process comprising:   i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising from about 70% to about 85% v/v ethanol;   ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture;   iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and   iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 25 mg/ml flavonoids, and/or at least 25 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises one or more of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A method of treating metabolic syndrome in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an extract derived from sugar cane,
 wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is produced by a process comprising:   i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising from about 70% to about 85% v/v ethanol;   ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture;   iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and   iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 25 mg/ml flavonoids, and/or at least 25 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises one or more of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         32 . A method of lowering the GI of a food or beverage, the method comprising adding an extract derived from sugar cane to the food or beverage,
 wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is produced by a process comprising:   i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising from about 70% to about 85% v/v ethanol;   ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture;   iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and   iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 25 mg/ml flavonoids, and/or at least 25 mg/ml polyphenols. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises one or more of tricin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, sinapic acid, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane is effective to lower the GI of the food or beverage to 55 or less. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the extract derived from sugar cane comprises at least 21 mg/ml polyphenols and is effective to lower the GI of the food or beverage to 55 or less.