WO2015067709A1 - Process for the purification of astaxanthin - Google Patents
Process for the purification of astaxanthin Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2015067709A1 WO2015067709A1 PCT/EP2014/073958 EP2014073958W WO2015067709A1 WO 2015067709 A1 WO2015067709 A1 WO 2015067709A1 EP 2014073958 W EP2014073958 W EP 2014073958W WO 2015067709 A1 WO2015067709 A1 WO 2015067709A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- astaxanthin
- synthetic
- suspension
- dichloromethane
- grade
- Prior art date
Links
- JEBFVOLFMLUKLF-IFPLVEIFSA-N Astaxanthin Natural products CC(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C1=C(C)C(=O)C(O)CC1(C)C)/C)C=CC=C(/C)C=CC=C(/C)C=CC2=C(C)C(=O)C(O)CC2(C)C JEBFVOLFMLUKLF-IFPLVEIFSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 160
- 235000013793 astaxanthin Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 160
- 229940022405 astaxanthin Drugs 0.000 title claims abstract description 160
- 239000001168 astaxanthin Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 160
- MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-ZWAPEEGVSA-N astaxanthin Chemical compound C([C@H](O)C(=O)C=1C)C(C)(C)C=1/C=C/C(/C)=C/C=C/C(/C)=C/C=C/C=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC1=C(C)C(=O)[C@@H](O)CC1(C)C MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-ZWAPEEGVSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 159
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 50
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 title description 10
- YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dichloromethane Chemical compound ClCCl YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 225
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 132
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 51
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 51
- LRHPLDYGYMQRHN-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Butanol Chemical compound CCCCO LRHPLDYGYMQRHN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N propan-1-ol Chemical compound CCCO BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- BTANRVKWQNVYAZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N butan-2-ol Chemical compound CCC(C)O BTANRVKWQNVYAZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 235000015872 dietary supplement Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 229940044613 1-propanol Drugs 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 235000006708 antioxidants Nutrition 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000003078 antioxidant effect Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 150000005690 diesters Chemical class 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920000881 Modified starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011627 DL-alpha-tocopherol Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000001815 DL-alpha-tocopherol Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- GVJHHUAWPYXKBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N d-alpha-tocopherol Natural products OC1=C(C)C(C)=C2OC(CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C)(C)CCC2=C1C GVJHHUAWPYXKBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000008157 edible vegetable oil Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000019486 Sunflower oil Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000005687 corn oil Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002285 corn oil Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002600 sunflower oil Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229960000984 tocofersolan Drugs 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000003626 triacylglycerols Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- GVJHHUAWPYXKBD-IEOSBIPESA-N α-tocopherol Chemical group OC1=C(C)C(C)=C2O[C@@](CCC[C@H](C)CCC[C@H](C)CCCC(C)C)(C)CCC2=C1C GVJHHUAWPYXKBD-IEOSBIPESA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000019485 Safflower oil Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003813 safflower oil Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000005713 safflower oil Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- -1 if present Chemical compound 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 21
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 14
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 11
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 10
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N beta-D-glucose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 229960001031 glucose Drugs 0.000 description 10
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 10
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 6
- 150000004676 glycans Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 229920001282 polysaccharide Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000005017 polysaccharide Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 150000002772 monosaccharides Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 244000024675 Eruca sativa Species 0.000 description 4
- 235000014755 Eruca sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007900 aqueous suspension Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000005119 centrifugation Methods 0.000 description 4
- FLISWPFVWWWNNP-BQYQJAHWSA-N dihydro-3-(1-octenyl)-2,5-furandione Chemical compound CCCCCC\C=C\C1CC(=O)OC1=O FLISWPFVWWWNNP-BQYQJAHWSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 description 4
- 229930091371 Fructose Natural products 0.000 description 3
- 239000005715 Fructose Substances 0.000 description 3
- RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N Fructose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@](O)(CO)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 235000010378 sodium ascorbate Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- PPASLZSBLFJQEF-RKJRWTFHSA-M sodium ascorbate Substances [Na+].OC[C@@H](O)[C@H]1OC(=O)C(O)=C1[O-] PPASLZSBLFJQEF-RKJRWTFHSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 229960005055 sodium ascorbate Drugs 0.000 description 3
- PPASLZSBLFJQEF-RXSVEWSESA-M sodium-L-ascorbate Chemical compound [Na+].OC[C@H](O)[C@H]1OC(=O)C(O)=C1[O-] PPASLZSBLFJQEF-RXSVEWSESA-M 0.000 description 3
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chloroform Chemical compound ClC(Cl)Cl HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002261 Corn starch Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001353 Dextrin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004375 Dextrin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000282412 Homo Species 0.000 description 2
- 229930006000 Sucrose Natural products 0.000 description 2
- CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N Sucrose Chemical compound O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@]1(CO)O[C@@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000002671 adjuvant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000008120 corn starch Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000019425 dextrin Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000013681 dietary sucrose Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 150000002016 disaccharides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007908 nanoemulsion Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002482 oligosaccharides Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229960004793 sucrose Drugs 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- SPFMQWBKVUQXJV-BTVCFUMJSA-N (2r,3s,4r,5r)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal;hydrate Chemical compound O.OC[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C=O SPFMQWBKVUQXJV-BTVCFUMJSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OWEGMIWEEQEYGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 100676-05-9 Natural products OC1C(O)C(O)C(CO)OC1OCC1C(O)C(O)C(O)C(OC2C(OC(O)C(O)C2O)CO)O1 OWEGMIWEEQEYGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QIGJYVCQYDKYDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-D-mannopyranose Natural products OC1C(O)C(O)C(CO)OC1OC1C(O)C(CO)OC(O)C1O QIGJYVCQYDKYDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-XLOQQCSPSA-N Alpha-Lactose Chemical compound O[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@H]1O[C@@H]1[C@@H](CO)O[C@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]1O GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-XLOQQCSPSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FGUUSXIOTUKUDN-IBGZPJMESA-N C1(=CC=CC=C1)N1C2=C(NC([C@H](C1)NC=1OC(=NN=1)C1=CC=CC=C1)=O)C=CC=C2 Chemical compound C1(=CC=CC=C1)N1C2=C(NC([C@H](C1)NC=1OC(=NN=1)C1=CC=CC=C1)=O)C=CC=C2 FGUUSXIOTUKUDN-IBGZPJMESA-N 0.000 description 1
- GXGJIOMUZAGVEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chamazulene Chemical group CCC1=CC=C(C)C2=CC=C(C)C2=C1 GXGJIOMUZAGVEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-QTVWNMPRSA-N D-mannopyranose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-QTVWNMPRSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002245 Dextrose equivalent Polymers 0.000 description 1
- AYRXSINWFIIFAE-SCLMCMATSA-N Isomaltose Natural products OC[C@H]1O[C@H](OC[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C=O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O AYRXSINWFIIFAE-SCLMCMATSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LKDRXBCSQODPBY-AMVSKUEXSA-N L-(-)-Sorbose Chemical compound OCC1(O)OC[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O LKDRXBCSQODPBY-AMVSKUEXSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-QKKXKWKRSA-N Lactose Natural products OC[C@H]1O[C@@H](O[C@H]2[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C(O)O[C@@H]2CO)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]1O GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-QKKXKWKRSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002774 Maltodextrin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005913 Maltodextrin Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-PICCSMPSSA-N Maltose Natural products O[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@H]1O[C@@H]1[C@@H](CO)OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@H]1O GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-PICCSMPSSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 240000003183 Manihot esculenta Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000016735 Manihot esculenta subsp esculenta Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000019482 Palm oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000019483 Peanut oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000019484 Rapeseed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000061456 Solanum tuberosum Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002595 Solanum tuberosum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021307 Triticum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000098338 Triticum aestivum Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000016383 Zea mays subsp huehuetenangensis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N ZrO2 Inorganic materials O=[Zr]=O MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000003342 alkenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-PHYPRBDBSA-N alpha-D-galactose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-PHYPRBDBSA-N 0.000 description 1
- MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-UWFIBFSHSA-N astaxanthin Chemical compound C([C@H](O)C(=O)C=1C)C(C)(C)C=1\C=C\C(\C)=C\C=C\C(\C)=C\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\C=C(/C)\C=C\C1=C(C)C(=O)[C@@H](O)CC1(C)C MQZIGYBFDRPAKN-UWFIBFSHSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001514 astaxanthins Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-QUYVBRFLSA-N beta-maltose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@H](O[C@H]2[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)O[C@@H]2CO)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O GUBGYTABKSRVRQ-QUYVBRFLSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 1
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003240 coconut oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019864 coconut oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003931 cognitive performance Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002385 cottonseed oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012343 cottonseed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008121 dextrose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229960000673 dextrose monohydrate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000019197 fats Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000000855 fermentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004151 fermentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930182830 galactose Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000008282 halocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000001165 hydrophobic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229960004903 invert sugar Drugs 0.000 description 1
- DLRVVLDZNNYCBX-RTPHMHGBSA-N isomaltose Chemical compound O[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@H]1OC[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)C(O)O1 DLRVVLDZNNYCBX-RTPHMHGBSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000008101 lactose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000009973 maize Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229940035034 maltodextrin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004770 neurodegeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000015122 neurodegenerative disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- QIGJYVCQYDKYDW-NSYYTRPSSA-N nigerose Chemical compound O[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@H]1O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)OC(O)[C@@H]1O QIGJYVCQYDKYDW-NSYYTRPSSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001542 oligosaccharide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004006 olive oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000008390 olive oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- RVTZCBVAJQQJTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxygen(2-);zirconium(4+) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[Zr+4] RVTZCBVAJQQJTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003346 palm kernel oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019865 palm kernel oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002540 palm oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010951 particle size reduction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000312 peanut oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011049 pearl Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003549 soybean oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012424 soybean oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013826 starch sodium octenyl succinate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001334 starch sodium octenyl succinate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000000346 sugar Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 125000003258 trimethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:2])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[*:1] 0.000 description 1
- 235000015112 vegetable and seed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008158 vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C403/00—Derivatives of cyclohexane or of a cyclohexene or of cyclohexadiene, having a side-chain containing an acyclic unsaturated part of at least four carbon atoms, this part being directly attached to the cyclohexane or cyclohexene or cyclohexadiene rings, e.g. vitamin A, beta-carotene, beta-ionone
- C07C403/24—Derivatives of cyclohexane or of a cyclohexene or of cyclohexadiene, having a side-chain containing an acyclic unsaturated part of at least four carbon atoms, this part being directly attached to the cyclohexane or cyclohexene or cyclohexadiene rings, e.g. vitamin A, beta-carotene, beta-ionone having side-chains substituted by six-membered non-aromatic rings, e.g. beta-carotene
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
- A61K31/045—Hydroxy compounds, e.g. alcohols; Salts thereof, e.g. alcoholates
- A61K31/07—Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- C07C2603/00—Systems containing at least three condensed rings
- C07C2603/02—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems
- C07C2603/04—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems containing three rings
- C07C2603/06—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems containing three rings containing at least one ring with less than six ring members
- C07C2603/10—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems containing three rings containing at least one ring with less than six ring members containing five-membered rings
- C07C2603/12—Ortho- or ortho- and peri-condensed systems containing three rings containing at least one ring with less than six ring members containing five-membered rings only one five-membered ring
- C07C2603/16—Benz[e]indenes; Hydrogenated benz[e]indenes
Definitions
- the object of the invention is to provide a synthetic food-grade astaxanthin (AXN) which is not known so far.
- Food-grade within the present invention means "suitable for human consumption”.
- Such a food-grade synthetic AXN thus fulfills all regulatory requirements concerning purity and can be used in the commercial production of food and dietary supplements.
- AXN can be manufactured by chemical synthesis (see EP-A 908 449, WO 2005/087720, EP-A 733 619), it can be produced by fermentation (see EP-A 543 023) and isolated from natural sources such as shell waste (see JP-A 11-049 972) or algae Haematococcus pluvialis (see GB-A 2,301,587), where the isolated esters would have to be cleaved to AXN itself.
- AXN isolated from natural sources is already used in products for human consumption: see e.g.
- Synthetic AXN is of standardized quality compared to AXN from natural sources since it is much easier to use a standardized procedure for its chemical synthesis and purification than being dependent from the varying quality of natural AXN resulting by using natural sources which vary also in their composition.
- AXN means "synthetic AXN”.
- Chemical processes for the manufacture of AXN are often carried out in halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane (see e.g. WO 2011/095571) since AXN and its precursors have a high solubility in these solvents though there were intentions in the past to avoid the use of such solvents (see e.g. EP-A 908 449 and WO 2005/087720).
- chloroform see JP-A 07118226).
- the thus obtained AXN is then often crystallized from lower alkanols since it is hardly soluble in such solvents.
- the present invention is especially directed to a synthetic AXN with a content of dichloromethane ⁇ 250 ppm, preferably with a content of dichloromethane ⁇ 200 ppm, more preferably with a content of dichloromethane ⁇ 100 ppm, even more preferably with a content of dichloromethane ⁇ 50 ppm, ⁇ 35 ppm, ⁇ 30 ppm, ⁇ 25 ppm, ⁇ 20 ppm, most preferably with a content of dichloromethane ⁇ 10 ppm.
- the synthetic food-grade AXN according to the present invention may especially be used in dietary supplements. For these purposes it is often provided in the form of an oily suspension or a powdery formulation such as a beadlet, thus protecting the AXN from degradation.
- a further object of the present invention is a human dietary supplement comprising astaxanthin manufactured by chemical synthesis (i.e. synthetic astaxanthin), free from astaxanthin mono- and diesters, and comprising ⁇ 250 ppm of dichloromethane.
- Preferred embodiments are human dietary supplements comprising this synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, comprising ⁇ 200 ppm of dichloromethane, ⁇ 100 ppm of dichloromethane, ⁇ 50 ppm of dichloromethane.
- Further preferred embodiments are human dietary supplements comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, comprising dichloromethane in the range between 0 and 100 ppm, preferably in the range between 10 and 100 ppm.
- the present invention is directed to human dietary supplements comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono-and diesters and with the reduced levels of dichloromethane as given above including all preferred ranges and combinations given.
- Such a synthetic food-grade AXN may be obtained by one of the following processes which are also objects of the present invention.
- a process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
- a) Providing synthetic astaxanthin crystals containing dichloromethane; and b) Adding an alkanol to the synthetic astaxanthin crystals in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin in said alkanol, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 5 to 70 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension; and c) Heating up the suspension obtained in step b) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C; and
- step c) Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step c); and e) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation;
- a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
- a process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
- step bl Heating up the suspension obtained in step bl) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C;
- step dl Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step cl); and el) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation; and fl) Repeating steps bl), dl) and el) until the content of dichloromethane in the
- synthetic astaxanthin is ⁇ 250 ppm; and gl) Cooling the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is ⁇ 250 ppm, to a temperature in the range of from 10 to 35°C; and
- a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
- the alkanol is preferably selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol and 1-butanol, more preferably the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and 1-butanol, most preferably the alkanol is either methanol or ethanol.
- the synthetic AXN crystals are as obtained from any of the chemical syntheses after removing of the solvent, in which the synthesis has been performed as e.g. preferably in dichloromethane.
- the dichloromethane may have been removed by distillation or by solvent exchange.
- the dichloromethane has been removed by a solvent exchange with methanol.
- dichloromethane is heated up to a temperature of 38 to 40°C at atmospheric pressure and dichloromethane is distilled off. Simultaneously methanol is added so that the volume of the mixture is kept constant. Then solvent (dichloromethane + methanol) are distilled off until the internal temperature has been raised to 64°C (boiling point of methanol) meaning that only methanol is distilled off, but no dichloromethane any more.
- These synthetic AXN crystals still contain dichloromethane which cannot be removed by just prolonging the time for drying these synthetic AXN crystals, even if the temperature and/or the vacuum is/are increased. Typical amounts of remaining dichloromethane in the synthetic AXN crystals are 0.2 to 0.3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the synthetic AXN crystals.
- Process B Since the process of the present invention is very effective in removing dichloromethane, it is also possible to use directly a solution of the synthetic AXN in dichloromethane. In this case it is advantageous to first reduce the amount of
- dichloromethane in the solution by distillation Preferably this is done whereby simultaneously methanol is added.
- steps a2) and a3) are also performed.
- a2) optionally adding methanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution of step al); a3) removing dichloromethane by distillation;
- step a2) has been performed removing dichloromethane and methanol by distillation.
- the alkanol is added to the synthetic astaxanthin crystals (step b) - Process A) or the solution of synthetic AXN in dichloromethane (step bl) - Process B) in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin in said alkanol, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 20 to 60 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 30 to 50 weight-%. Preferably this is done under nitrogen.
- the suspension obtained in step b)/step bl) is heated up to a temperature, i.e. brought to a temperature, in the range of from 80 to 150°C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 90 to 130°C, even more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 100 to 120°C, most preferably to a temperature in the range of from 105 to 115°C.
- a temperature i.e. brought to a temperature, in the range of from 80 to 150°C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 90 to 130°C, even more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 100 to 120°C, most preferably to a temperature in the range of from 105 to 115°C.
- the reactor may be closed. Alternatively it may not be closed, but equipped with cooling devices to prevent loss of alkanol. Step dVstep dl)
- the temperature is maintained constant at the wanted value - the same temperature as in step c)/cl).
- the steps b), d) and e) and bl), dl) and el), respectively, are repeated until the content of dichloromethane in the synthetic astaxanthin is ⁇ 250 ppm, preferably ⁇ 200 ppm, more preferably ⁇ 100 ppm, even more preferably ⁇ 50 ppm, ⁇ 35 ppm, ⁇ 30 ppm, ⁇ 25 ppm, ⁇ 20 ppm, most preferably ⁇ 10 ppm.
- steps b) feeding of alkanol and step e) (removing of alkanol and dichloromethane) (process A) and steps bl) and el) (process B), respectively, are carried out simultaneously after the end temperature of step c) has been reached.
- the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension whereby its content of dichloromethane is ⁇ 250 ppm, is cooled to a temperature in the range of from 15-30°C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 20 to 25°C.
- the synthetic astaxanthin crystals are then filtered off and optionally dried.
- the drying of the obtained synthetic AXN crystals is generally carried out at a temperature below 140°C, preferably at a temperature in the range of from 40 to 140°C, and in vacuum.
- the vacuum is preferably in a range of between 0 and 20 mbara.
- the drying of the synthetic AXN crystals is carried out at a temperature of 80°C and at 20 mbar. In a further embodiment of the present invention the drying of the synthetic AXN crystals is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 55 to 70°C and at a pressure below 20 mbar.
- Especially preferred embodiments of the present invention are those processes, whereby one or more of the preferred conditions given above are realized.
- the most preferred processes of the present invention are those, whereby all preferred conditions given above are realized.
- the present invention is also directed to the astaxanthin as obtained by any of the processes according to the present invention. Oily suspensions
- the synthetic food-grade AXN of the present invention may be admixed with an edible oil to obtain an oily suspension of synthetic food-grade AXN.
- the edible oil may be selected from the following group consisting of vegetable oils such as corn oil, saffiower oil, sunflower oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and synthetic oils, and any mixture thereof, but is not limited thereto.
- Especially preferred edible oils are selected from the group consisting of saffiower oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT) oil and any mixture thereof.
- Such an oily suspension of synthetic food-grade AXN is also an object of the present invention.
- the content of synthetic food-grade AXN in such a suspension is in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension.
- the content of AXN in such a suspension is in the range of 1.0 to 10 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension.
- the oily suspension may further comprise an antioxidant, especially a fat-soluble antioxidant.
- An especially preferred fat-soluble antioxidant is dl-alpha-tocopherol.
- the amount of such anti-oxidant is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension. The amount of the oil is then so much that the amount of all three ingredients (synthetic food-grade AXN; anti-oxidant, oil) sums up to 100 weight-%).
- the oily suspension may be directly used as such for the manufacture of dietary supplements in the form capsules, especially in the form of soft-gel capsules.
- Powdery forms
- the powdery forms may be used for making tablets. Such tablets are also part of the present invention.
- An especially preferred powdery form is a beadlet comprising the synthetic food-grade astaxanthin as disclosed above encapsulated in a matrix comprising a modified food starch.
- the amount of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin in said beadlet is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the beadlet.
- the beadlets may further comprise a water-soluble antioxidant (such as sodium ascorbate) and/or a fat-soluble antioxidant (such as DL-alpha-tocopherol), as well as a saccharide as adjuvant.
- a water-soluble antioxidant such as sodium ascorbate
- a fat-soluble antioxidant such as DL-alpha-tocopherol
- saccharide as adjuvant.
- the amount of each of the anti-oxidants is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, based on the total weight of the beadlet.
- a particularly preferred modified food starch of this invention has the following formula (I)
- R is an alkylene radical and R ' is a hydrophobic group.
- R is a lower alkylene radical such as dimethylene or trimethylene.
- R ' may be an alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having 5 to 18 carbon atoms.
- a preferred compound of formula (I) is an "OSA-starch” (starch sodium octenyl succinate).
- the degree of substitution i.e. the number of esterified hydroxyl groups to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%.
- OSA-starch denotes any starch (from any natural source such as corn, waxy maize, waxy corn, wheat, tapioca and potato or synthesized) that was treated with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA).
- the degree of substitution i.e. the number of hydroxyl groups esterified with OSA to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%.
- OSA-starches are also known under the expression "modified food starch".
- OSA-starches encompasses also such starches that are commercially available e.g. from National Starch under the tradenames HiCap 100, Capsul
- a commercially available modified food starch such as e.g. HiCap 100 (from National Starch) and ClearGum Co03 (from Roquette Freres) is used. It is especially advantageous if such a starch or an OSA starch in general is further improved according to a process as disclosed in WO 2007/090614, especially according to a procedure as described in examples 28, 35 and/or 36 of WO 2007/090614.
- a commercially available starch has been centrifuged as an aqueous solution or suspension before use. The centrifugation may be carried out at 1000 to 20000 g depending on the dry mass content of the modified polysaccharide in the aqueous solution or suspension.
- the applied centrifugation force is also high.
- a centrifugation force of 12000 g may be suitable to achieve the desired separation.
- the centrifugation may be carried out at dry matter contents in the range of from 0.1-60 weight %, preferably in the range of from 10-50 weight-%, most preferably in the range of from 15-40 weight-% at temperatures in the range of from 2-99°C, preferably in the range of from 10-75°C, most preferably in the range of from 40-60°C.
- Preferred monosaccharides are glucose and fructose, as well as any mixture thereof.
- glucose in the context of the present invention does not only mean the pure substance, but also a glucose syrup with a DE > 90. This also applies for the other monosaccharides.
- D-glucose equivalent denotes the degree of hydrolysis and is a measure of the amount of reducing sugar calculated as D-glucose based on dry weight; the scale is based on native starch having a DE close to 0 and glucose having a DE of 100.
- disaccharides are saccharose, isomaltose, lactose, maltose and nigerose, as well as any mixture thereof.
- An example of an oligosaccharide is maltodextrin.
- An example of a polysaccharide is dextrin.
- An example of a mixture of mono- and disaccharides is invert sugar (glucose + fructose + saccharose).
- Mixtures of mono- and polysaccharides are e.g. commercially available under the tradenames Glucidex IT 47 (from Roquette Freres), Dextrose Monohydrate ST (from Roquette Freres), Sirodex 331 (from Tate & Lyle) and Glucamyl F 452 (from Tate & Lyle).
- the amount of the modified food starch is in the range of from 20 to 80 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 weight-%, and the amount of the saccharide (adjuvant) is in the range of from 5 to 30 weight-%, based on the total amount of the composition.
- the beadlets are manufactured according to the process described below, whereby especially corn starch is used as powder-catch agent. Most preferably the thus resulting beadlets contain from 10 to 25 weight-% of corn starch, based on the total weight of the beadlet. Preferred are beadlets whose preparation comprises the following steps:
- the present invention is also directed to a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising ⁇ 200 ppm of dichloromethane.
- Such human dietary supplement preferably comprises ⁇ 500 ppm of methanol.
- any synthetic food-grade AXN as described above (with all the preferences given) may be used.
- human dietary supplements in the context of the present invention mean dietary supplements to be administered to and to be consumed by humans.
- a further embodiment of the present invention is a method of marketing the synthetic food-grade AXN according to the present invention, as well as a method of marketing the dietary supplements for human consumption as mentioned above.
- a preferred embodiment is a method of marketing synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
- a further preferred embodiment is a method of marketing a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising ⁇ 250 ppm of dichloromethane, comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
- a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising ⁇ 250 ppm of dichloromethane according to the present invention with all preferences as given above;
- Such optional further information may be information about the dosage of such synthetic food-grade astaxanthin and such human dietary supplement, respectively, or any other useful information with respect to the administration to humans.
- Examples 1-3 Processes for obtaining synthetic food- grade astaxanthin
- the crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of methanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 117.5 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 8 mg/kg of dichloromethane and 79 mg/kg of methanol.
- example 1 , 2 or 3 in principle is it possible to perform example 1 , 2 or 3 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C and 110°C, respectively.
- Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between.
- Example 1, 2 and 3 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 115°C.
- Examples 4-5 powdery forms according to the present invention
- Example 4 Astaxanthin 5% Beadlet Form 10 g of purified crystalline Astaxanthin as obtained in example 2 and 1.7 g of dl-a- tocopherol are dissolved in an appropriate solvent. This solution is added under stirring to a solution of 97.7 g of modified food starch (e.g. Capsul HS), 25.0 g of glucose syrup (e.g. Glucidex IT 47), 3.3 g of sodium ascorbate and 240 g of water at 50 to 60°C.This pre-emulsion is homogenized with a rotor-stator-homogenizer for 20 minutes. Eventually the emulsion is homogenized with a high pressure homogenizer. In the next step the remaining solvent is removed by distillation and the solvent- free emulsion is dried by a standard powder catch process. 140 g of beadlets are obtained with an astaxanthin content of 5.7%.
- modified food starch e.g.
- a coarse suspension which contains 60 g of purified crystalline astaxanthin as obtained in example 2, 5.5 g of dl-a-tocopherol and 480 g of safflower oil is prepared under mixing at 45°C.
- this coarse suspension is pumped continuously through an agitated ball mill (diameter of the zirconiumdioxide pearls: 0.4 mm,
- Example 7 In principle is it possible to perform example 7 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C.
- Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between.
- Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
- Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
- dichloromethane In principle is it possible to perform example 9 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between.
- Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 115°C and 110°C, respectively.
- 120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of 1-butanol.
- the autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 120°C (internal temperature).
- 120°C internal temperature
- the solvent is distiUated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh 1-butanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant.
- Example 10 in principle is it possible to perform example 10 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 120°C.
- Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 105°C, 110°C, 115°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between.
- Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 125°C.
- Example 11 In principle is it possible to perform example 11 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C.
- Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between.
- Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
Abstract
The present invention is directed to synthetic astaxanthin which is suitable for human consumption. The present invention is further directed to processes where an alkanol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol is used to drastically reduce the content of dichloromethane in such synthetic food-grade astaxanthin. The present invention is further directed to suspensions and beadlets comprising such synthetic food-grade astaxanthin, as well as to human dietary supplements comprising it.
Description
Process for the purification of astaxanthin
The object of the invention is to provide a synthetic food-grade astaxanthin (AXN) which is not known so far. "Food-grade" within the present invention means "suitable for human consumption". Such a food-grade synthetic AXN thus fulfills all regulatory requirements concerning purity and can be used in the commercial production of food and dietary supplements.
AXN can be manufactured by chemical synthesis (see EP-A 908 449, WO 2005/087720, EP-A 733 619), it can be produced by fermentation (see EP-A 543 023) and isolated from natural sources such as shell waste (see JP-A 11-049 972) or algae Haematococcus pluvialis (see GB-A 2,301,587), where the isolated esters would have to be cleaved to AXN itself. AXN isolated from natural sources is already used in products for human consumption: see e.g. US 2009/0297492, where AXN is described as improving the cognitive performance; US 2009/0018210, where AXN is described as promoting fat degradation; EP-A 1 867 327, where AXN is described for preventing a neurodegenerative disease - to name only a few. So far, however, synthetic AXN was not used in products for human consumption.
Synthetic AXN is of standardized quality compared to AXN from natural sources since it is much easier to use a standardized procedure for its chemical synthesis and purification than being dependent from the varying quality of natural AXN resulting by using natural sources which vary also in their composition. Thus, in the context of the present invention the term "AXN" means "synthetic AXN".
Chemical processes for the manufacture of AXN are often carried out in halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane (see e.g. WO 2011/095571) since AXN and its precursors have a high solubility in these solvents though there were intentions in the past to avoid the use of such solvents (see e.g. EP-A 908 449 and WO 2005/087720). There are also purification methods that use chloroform (see JP-A 07118226). The thus obtained AXN is then often crystallized from lower alkanols since it is hardly soluble in such solvents.
It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a synthetic AXN which is of reliable quality, easy to obtain also in an industrial scale and suitable for human consumption.
Thus, it was an object of the present invention to provide a food-grade synthetic AXN. This object is met by the process of the present invention which yields an AXN with extremely low solvent levels, preferably with extremely low levels of dichloromethane, thus rendering this AXN suitable for human consumption. Such an AXN is also an object of the present invention.
Thus, the present invention is especially directed to a synthetic AXN with a content of dichloromethane < 250 ppm, preferably with a content of dichloromethane < 200 ppm, more preferably with a content of dichloromethane < 100 ppm, even more preferably with a content of dichloromethane < 50 ppm, < 35 ppm, < 30 ppm, < 25 ppm, < 20 ppm, most preferably with a content of dichloromethane < 10 ppm.
The synthetic food-grade AXN according to the present invention may especially be used in dietary supplements. For these purposes it is often provided in the form of an oily suspension or a powdery formulation such as a beadlet, thus protecting the AXN from degradation.
Thus, a further object of the present invention is a human dietary supplement comprising astaxanthin manufactured by chemical synthesis (i.e. synthetic astaxanthin), free from
astaxanthin mono- and diesters, and comprising < 250 ppm of dichloromethane. Preferred embodiments are human dietary supplements comprising this synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, comprising < 200 ppm of dichloromethane, < 100 ppm of dichloromethane, < 50 ppm of dichloromethane. Further preferred embodiments are human dietary supplements comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, comprising dichloromethane in the range between 0 and 100 ppm, preferably in the range between 10 and 100 ppm.
Moreover, the present invention is directed to human dietary supplements comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono-and diesters and with the reduced levels of dichloromethane as given above including all preferred ranges and combinations given.
Since it is possible with the processes of the present invention to significantly reduce the content of halogenated organic solvents such as dichloromethane, there is no need any more to use a chemical synthesis, where the use of such solvents is avoided.
Processes
Such a synthetic food-grade AXN may be obtained by one of the following processes which are also objects of the present invention.
Process A
A process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
a) Providing synthetic astaxanthin crystals containing dichloromethane; and b) Adding an alkanol to the synthetic astaxanthin crystals in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin in said alkanol, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 5 to 70 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension; and
c) Heating up the suspension obtained in step b) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C; and
d) Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step c); and e) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation;
f) Repeating steps b), d) and e) until the content of dichloromethane in the synthetic astaxanthin is < 250 ppm; and
g) Cooling the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is < 250 ppm, to a temperature in the range of from 10 to 35°C; and
h) Filtering off the synthetic astaxanthin crystals and optionally drying them;
whereby a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
Process B
A process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
al) Providing a solution of synthetic astaxanthin in dichloromethane; and
a2) optionally adding methanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution of step al); and a3) removing dichloromethane and optionally methanol by distillation; and bl) Adding an alkanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 5 to 70 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension; and
cl) Heating up the suspension obtained in step bl) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C; and
dl) Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step cl); and el) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation; and fl) Repeating steps bl), dl) and el) until the content of dichloromethane in the
synthetic astaxanthin is < 250 ppm; and
gl) Cooling the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is < 250 ppm, to a temperature in the range of from 10 to 35°C; and
hi) Filtering off the synthetic astaxanthin crystals and optionally drying them;
whereby a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
These processes will now be described in more detail below. They are economic and may be performed in an industrial scale. During the processes according to the present invention the total amount of astaxanthin is not completely dissolved in the alkanol. This is in contrast to a crystallization process where the total amount of astaxanthin is completely dissolved upon heating and re-crystallizes when the temperature is decreased again.
Since the steps of Process A and B only differ with respect to the starting material, they are the same and thus, described together. The alkanol is preferably selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol and 1-butanol, more preferably the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and 1-butanol, most preferably the alkanol is either methanol or ethanol. Step aVstep al)
As starting material either synthetic AXN crystals (see process A - step a)) or a solution of synthetic AXN in dichloromethane (see process B - step al)) may be used.
Process A: The synthetic AXN crystals are as obtained from any of the chemical syntheses after removing of the solvent, in which the synthesis has been performed as e.g.
preferably in dichloromethane. The dichloromethane may have been removed by distillation or by solvent exchange. Preferably the dichloromethane has been removed by a solvent exchange with methanol. In this case the mixture of astaxanthin and
dichloromethane is heated up to a temperature of 38 to 40°C at atmospheric pressure and dichloromethane is distilled off. Simultaneously methanol is added so that the volume of the mixture is kept constant. Then solvent (dichloromethane + methanol) are distilled off until the internal temperature has been raised to 64°C (boiling point of methanol) meaning that only methanol is distilled off, but no dichloromethane any more.
These synthetic AXN crystals still contain dichloromethane which cannot be removed by just prolonging the time for drying these synthetic AXN crystals, even if the temperature and/or the vacuum is/are increased. Typical amounts of remaining dichloromethane in the synthetic AXN crystals are 0.2 to 0.3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the synthetic AXN crystals.
Process B: Since the process of the present invention is very effective in removing dichloromethane, it is also possible to use directly a solution of the synthetic AXN in dichloromethane. In this case it is advantageous to first reduce the amount of
dichloromethane in the solution by distillation. Preferably this is done whereby simultaneously methanol is added.
Thus, if process B is performed advantageously steps a2) and a3) are also performed. a2) optionally adding methanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution of step al); a3) removing dichloromethane by distillation;
in case step a2) has been performed removing dichloromethane and methanol by distillation.
Step bVstep bl)
Preferably the alkanol is added to the synthetic astaxanthin crystals (step b) - Process A) or the solution of synthetic AXN in dichloromethane (step bl) - Process B) in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin in said alkanol, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 20 to 60 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 30 to 50 weight-%. Preferably this is done under nitrogen.
Step cVStep cl)
Preferably the suspension obtained in step b)/step bl) is heated up to a temperature, i.e. brought to a temperature, in the range of from 80 to 150°C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 90 to 130°C, even more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 100 to 120°C, most preferably to a temperature in the range of from 105 to 115°C. This has to be done in a closed reactor, if the temperature is above the boiling point of the alkanol. In this case the pressure increases.
If the temperature is below the boiling point of the alkanol, the reactor may be closed. Alternatively it may not be closed, but equipped with cooling devices to prevent loss of alkanol. Step dVstep dl)
The temperature is maintained constant at the wanted value - the same temperature as in step c)/cl).
Step eVstep el)
Dichloromethane and alkanol are then removed by distillation.
Step f)/step fl)
The steps b), d) and e) and bl), dl) and el), respectively, are repeated until the content of dichloromethane in the synthetic astaxanthin is < 250 ppm, preferably < 200 ppm, more
preferably < 100 ppm, even more preferably < 50 ppm, < 35 ppm, < 30 ppm, < 25 ppm, < 20 ppm, most preferably < 10 ppm.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention steps b) (feeding of alkanol) and step e) (removing of alkanol and dichloromethane) (process A) and steps bl) and el) (process B), respectively, are carried out simultaneously after the end temperature of step c) has been reached.
Step gVstep l)
Preferably the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is < 250 ppm, is cooled to a temperature in the range of from 15-30°C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of from 20 to 25°C.
Step hVstep hi)
The synthetic astaxanthin crystals are then filtered off and optionally dried.
The drying of the obtained synthetic AXN crystals is generally carried out at a temperature below 140°C, preferably at a temperature in the range of from 40 to 140°C, and in vacuum. The vacuum is preferably in a range of between 0 and 20 mbara.
In one embodiment of the present invention the drying of the synthetic AXN crystals is carried out at a temperature of 80°C and at 20 mbar. In a further embodiment of the present invention the drying of the synthetic AXN crystals is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 55 to 70°C and at a pressure below 20 mbar.
Especially preferred embodiments of the present invention are those processes, whereby one or more of the preferred conditions given above are realized. The most preferred processes of the present invention are those, whereby all preferred conditions given above are realized.
The present invention is also directed to the astaxanthin as obtained by any of the processes according to the present invention. Oily suspensions
The synthetic food-grade AXN of the present invention may be admixed with an edible oil to obtain an oily suspension of synthetic food-grade AXN. The edible oil may be selected from the following group consisting of vegetable oils such as corn oil, saffiower oil, sunflower oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and synthetic oils, and any mixture thereof, but is not limited thereto. Especially preferred edible oils are selected from the group consisting of saffiower oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT) oil and any mixture thereof. Such an oily suspension of synthetic food-grade AXN is also an object of the present invention. Generally the content of synthetic food-grade AXN in such a suspension is in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension. Preferably the content of AXN in such a suspension is in the range of 1.0 to 10 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension. More preferably oily suspensions with a content of synthetic food-grade AXN of 5 and 10 weight- %>, respectively, are marketed.
The oily suspension may further comprise an antioxidant, especially a fat-soluble antioxidant. An especially preferred fat-soluble antioxidant is dl-alpha-tocopherol. The amount of such anti-oxidant is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension. The amount of the oil is then so much that the amount of all three ingredients (synthetic food-grade AXN; anti-oxidant, oil) sums up to 100 weight-%).
The oily suspension may be directly used as such for the manufacture of dietary supplements in the form capsules, especially in the form of soft-gel capsules.
Powdery forms
The powdery forms may be used for making tablets. Such tablets are also part of the present invention.
An especially preferred powdery form is a beadlet comprising the synthetic food-grade astaxanthin as disclosed above encapsulated in a matrix comprising a modified food starch.
The amount of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin in said beadlet is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the beadlet.
The beadlets may further comprise a water-soluble antioxidant (such as sodium ascorbate) and/or a fat-soluble antioxidant (such as DL-alpha-tocopherol), as well as a saccharide as adjuvant. The amount of each of the anti-oxidants is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, based on the total weight of the beadlet.
A particularly preferred modified food starch of this invention has the following formula (I)
wherein St is a starch, R is an alkylene radical and R' is a hydrophobic group. Preferably R is a lower alkylene radical such as dimethylene or trimethylene. R' may be an alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having 5 to 18 carbon atoms. A preferred compound of formula (I) is an "OSA-starch" (starch sodium octenyl succinate). The degree of substitution, i.e. the number of esterified hydroxyl groups to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl
groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%.
The term "OSA-starch" denotes any starch (from any natural source such as corn, waxy maize, waxy corn, wheat, tapioca and potato or synthesized) that was treated with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The degree of substitution, i.e. the number of hydroxyl groups esterified with OSA to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%. OSA-starches are also known under the expression "modified food starch".
The term "OSA-starches" encompasses also such starches that are commercially available e.g. from National Starch under the tradenames HiCap 100, Capsul
(octenylbutanedioate amy lo dextrin), Capsul HS, Purity Gum 2000, Clear Gum Co03, UNI-PURE, HYLON VII; from National Starch and Roquette Freres, respectively; from CereStar under the tradename C*EmCap or from Tate & Lyle.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a commercially available modified food starch such as e.g. HiCap 100 (from National Starch) and ClearGum Co03 (from Roquette Freres) is used. It is especially advantageous if such a starch or an OSA starch in general is further improved according to a process as disclosed in WO 2007/090614, especially according to a procedure as described in examples 28, 35 and/or 36 of WO 2007/090614. Thus, in a further improved embodiment of the present invention such a commercially available starch has been centrifuged as an aqueous solution or suspension before use. The centrifugation may be carried out at 1000 to 20000 g depending on the dry mass content of the modified polysaccharide in the aqueous solution or suspension. If the dry mass content of the modified polysaccharide in the aqueous solution or suspension is high, the applied centrifugation force is also high. For example for an aqueous solution or
suspension with a dry mass content of the modified polysaccharide of 30 weight-% a centrifugation force of 12000 g may be suitable to achieve the desired separation.
The centrifugation may be carried out at dry matter contents in the range of from 0.1-60 weight %, preferably in the range of from 10-50 weight-%, most preferably in the range of from 15-40 weight-% at temperatures in the range of from 2-99°C, preferably in the range of from 10-75°C, most preferably in the range of from 40-60°C.
The term„saccharide" in the context of the present invention encompasses mono-, di-, oligo- and polysaccharides, as well as any mixtures thereof.
Examples of monosaccharides are fructose, glucose (= dextrose), mannose, galactose, sorbose, as well as any mixtures thereof. Preferred monosaccharides are glucose and fructose, as well as any mixture thereof.
The term "glucose" in the context of the present invention does not only mean the pure substance, but also a glucose syrup with a DE > 90. This also applies for the other monosaccharides.
The term "dextrose equivalent" (DE) denotes the degree of hydrolysis and is a measure of the amount of reducing sugar calculated as D-glucose based on dry weight; the scale is based on native starch having a DE close to 0 and glucose having a DE of 100. Examples of disaccharides are saccharose, isomaltose, lactose, maltose and nigerose, as well as any mixture thereof.
An example of an oligosaccharide is maltodextrin.
An example of a polysaccharide is dextrin.
An example of a mixture of mono- and disaccharides is invert sugar (glucose + fructose + saccharose). Mixtures of mono- and polysaccharides are e.g. commercially available under the tradenames Glucidex IT 47 (from Roquette Freres), Dextrose Monohydrate ST (from Roquette Freres), Sirodex 331 (from Tate & Lyle) and Glucamyl F 452 (from Tate & Lyle). In a preferred embodiment the amount of the modified food starch is in the range of from 20 to 80 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 weight-%, and the amount of the saccharide (adjuvant) is in the range of from 5 to 30 weight-%, based on the total amount of the composition. More preferably the beadlets are manufactured according to the process described below, whereby especially corn starch is used as powder-catch agent. Most preferably the thus resulting beadlets contain from 10 to 25 weight-% of corn starch, based on the total weight of the beadlet. Preferred are beadlets whose preparation comprises the following steps:
a) providing a modified food starch, a saccharide, a water-/fat- soluble antioxidant and a synthetic food-grade AXN according to the present invention;
b) preparing an aqueous nano-emulsion of said ingredients;
c) converting the nano-emulsion into a beadlet by a powder-catch process.
Human dietary supplements
The present invention is also directed to a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising < 200 ppm of dichloromethane.
Such human dietary supplement preferably comprises < 500 ppm of methanol.
For these human dietary supplements any synthetic food-grade AXN as described above (with all the preferences given) may be used.
"human dietary supplements" in the context of the present invention mean dietary supplements to be administered to and to be consumed by humans.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a method of marketing the synthetic food-grade AXN according to the present invention, as well as a method of marketing the dietary supplements for human consumption as mentioned above. A preferred embodiment is a method of marketing synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
i) synthetic food-grade astaxanthin according to the present invention with all
preferences as given above;
ii) information describing the benefits of said synthetic food-grade astaxanthin; iii) optional further information.
A further preferred embodiment is a method of marketing a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising < 250 ppm of dichloromethane, comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
i) a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising < 250 ppm of dichloromethane according to the present invention with all preferences as given above;
ii) information describing the benefits of said human dietary supplement;
iii) optional further information.
Such optional further information may be information about the dosage of such synthetic food-grade astaxanthin and such human dietary supplement, respectively, or any other useful information with respect to the administration to humans.
The invention is now further illustrated in the following non-limiting examples.
Examples 1-3: Processes for obtaining synthetic food- grade astaxanthin
(purification with methanol)
Example 1
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of methanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 105°C. Once the wanted intern temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh methanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 16 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of methanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml methanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of methanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 117.5 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 21 mg/kg of dichloromethane and 85 mg/kg of methanol. Example 2
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of methanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm and heated at 110°C. Once the wanted intern temperature (110°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 2.9 ml/min and simultaneously fresh methanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so
that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hour of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of methanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml methanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of methanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 117.5 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 8 mg/kg of dichloromethane and 79 mg/kg of methanol.
Example 3
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of methanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm and heated at 123°C. Once the wanted intern temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh methanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of methanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml methanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of methanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 117.4 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 48 mg/kg of dichloromethane and 79 mg/kg of methanol.
In principle is it possible to perform example 1 , 2 or 3 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C and 110°C, respectively. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1, 2 and 3 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 115°C.
Examples 4-5: powdery forms according to the present invention Example 4: Astaxanthin 5% Beadlet Form
10 g of purified crystalline Astaxanthin as obtained in example 2 and 1.7 g of dl-a- tocopherol are dissolved in an appropriate solvent. This solution is added under stirring to a solution of 97.7 g of modified food starch (e.g. Capsul HS), 25.0 g of glucose syrup (e.g. Glucidex IT 47), 3.3 g of sodium ascorbate and 240 g of water at 50 to 60°C.This pre-emulsion is homogenized with a rotor-stator-homogenizer for 20 minutes. Eventually the emulsion is homogenized with a high pressure homogenizer. In the next step the remaining solvent is removed by distillation and the solvent- free emulsion is dried by a standard powder catch process. 140 g of beadlets are obtained with an astaxanthin content of 5.7%.
Example 5: Astaxanthin 10% Beadlet Form
20 g of purified crystalline Astaxanthin as obtained in example 2 and 1.7 g dl-a- tocopherol are dissolved in an appropriate solvent. This solution is added under stirring to a solution of 81.7 g of modified food starch (e.g. Capsul HS), 13.3 g of glucose syrup (e.g. Glucidex IT 47), 8.3 g of sodium ascorbate and 230 g of water at 50 to 60°C.This pre-emulsion is homogenized with a rotor-stator-homogenizer for 20 minutes. Eventually the emulsion is homogenized with a high pressure homogenizer. In the next step the remaining solvent is removed by distillation and the solvent- free emulsion is dried by a standard powder catch process. 140 g of beadlets are obtained with an astaxanthin content of 12.0%.
Example 6: Astaxanthin 10% Fluid Suspension (an oily suspension according to the present invention)
A coarse suspension which contains 60 g of purified crystalline astaxanthin as obtained in example 2, 5.5 g of dl-a-tocopherol and 480 g of safflower oil is prepared under mixing at 45°C. For particle size reduction, this coarse suspension is pumped continuously through an agitated ball mill (diameter of the zirconiumdioxide pearls: 0.4 mm,
Dispermate SL C12 ball mill; VMA-Getzmann GmbH, Germany) until the desired average particle size (< 2 microns) is achieved. After 140 minutes of milling time, 450 g
of an oily suspension results with an astaxanthin content of 10.7% and an average particle size of 1.8 microns (measured with Malvern Mastersizer 3000 equipment, Fraunhofer presentation). Further processes for obtaining synthetic food- grade astaxanthin
Example 7: Purification with ethanol
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of ethanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 105°C (internal temperature). Once the wanted internal temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh ethanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of ethanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml of ethanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of ethanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 118.1 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 44 mg/kg of dichloromethane .
In principle is it possible to perform example 7 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
Example 8: Purification with 1-propanol
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of 1-propanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at
105°C (internal temperature). Once the wanted internal temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh 1- propanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the
introduction of 1-propanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml of 1-propanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of 1-propanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 117.6 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 109 mg/kg of dichloromethane. In principle is it possible to perform example 8 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
Example 9: Purification with 2-propanol
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of 2-propanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 123°C. Once the wanted intern temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distillated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh 2-propanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of 2-propanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml of 2-propanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of 2-propanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 116.1 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 502 mg/kg of
dichloromethane .
In principle is it possible to perform example 9 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 115°C and 110°C, respectively.
Example 10: Purification with 1-butanol
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of 1-butanol. The autoclave is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 120°C (internal temperature). Once the wanted internal temperature (120°C) is reached, the solvent is distiUated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh 1-butanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 3 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of 1-butanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml of 1-butanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of 1-butanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 116.1 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 75 mg/kg of dichloromethane.
In principle is it possible to perform example 10 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 120°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 105°C, 110°C, 115°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 125°C.
Example 11 : Purification with 2-butanol
120 g of astaxanthin (97%) containing 2000 mg/kg of dichloromethane are introduced in a 1000 ml steel autoclave under inert conditions with 280 ml of 2-butanol. The autoclave
is closed, the mixture agitated at 350 rpm (rotations per minute) and heated at 105°C (internal temperature). Once the wanted internal temperature (105°C) is reached, the solvent is distiUated off at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and simultaneously fresh 2-butanol is introduced with a pump at the same flow rate so that the volume of the mixture stays constant. After 7 hours of this treatment, the distillation and the introduction of 2-butanol are stopped, the mixture is cooled to 25°C and diluted with 50 ml of 2-butanol. The crystals are filtered off, washed with 150 ml of 2-butanol and dried in a drying oven 16 hours at 80°C under 20 mbara. 116.7 g of dry astaxanthin are obtained containing 293 mg/kg of dichloromethane.
In principle is it possible to perform example 11 as described above also at any other temperature in the range of from 80 to 140°C instead of 105°C. Such other temperatures are e.g. 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 110°C, 115°C, 120°C, 125°C, 130°C, 135°C, 140°C and any other temperature in between. Example 1 may especially be repeated at a temperature of 110°C and 115°C, respectively.
Claims
1. A process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
a) Providing synthetic astaxanthin crystals containing dichloromethane; and b) Adding an alkanol to the synthetic astaxanthin crystals in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin in said alkanol, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 5 to 70 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension; and
c) Heating up the suspension obtained in step b) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C; and
d) Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step c); and e) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation; and f) Repeating steps b), d) and e) until the content of dichloromethane in the synthetic astaxanthin is < 250 ppm; and
g) Cooling the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is < 250 ppm, to a temperature in the range of from 10 to 35°C; and
h) Filtering off the synthetic astaxanthin crystals and optionally drying them;
whereby a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
2. A process for the manufacture of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising the following steps:
al) Providing a solution of synthetic astaxanthin in dichloromethane; and
bl) Adding an alkanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution in an amount to obtain a suspension of synthetic astaxanthin, whereby the amount of synthetic astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of from 5 to 70 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension;
cl) Heating up the suspension obtained in step bl) to a temperature in the range of from 80 to 150°C; and
dl) Maintaining the suspension at a temperature in the range as given for step cl); and el) Removing residual dichloromethane and said alkanol by distillation; and fl) Repeating steps bl), dl) and el) until the content of dichloromethane in the
synthetic astaxanthin is < 250 ppm; and
gl) Cooling the alkanolic synthetic astaxanthin suspension, whereby its content of dichloromethane is < 250 ppm, to a temperature in the range of from 10 to 35°C; and
hi) Filtering off the synthetic astaxanthin crystals and optionally drying them;
whereby a synthetic astaxanthin suitable for human consumption is obtained, and whereby the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1- propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-butanol.
The process according to claim 2, whereby after step al) and before step bl) the following steps are carried out:
a2) optionally adding methanol to the synthetic astaxanthin solution of step al);
a3) removing methanol, if present, and dichloromethane by distillation;
The process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein steps b) and e) or steps bl) and el), respectively, are carried out simultaneously.
The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol, preferably wherein the alkanol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and 1-butanol, more preferably wherein the alkanol is either methanol or ethanol.
Synthetic food-grade astaxanthin as obtained by any of the processes according to claims 1 to 5.
An oily suspension comprising the synthetic food-grade astaxanthin according to claim 6 in an edible oil, said edible oil preferably selected from the group consisting of safflower oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT) oil and any mixture thereof.
The oily suspension according to claim 7, further comprising an antioxidant, whereby preferably the antioxidant is dl-alpha-tocopherol.
The oily suspension according to claim 7 and/or 8, wherein the amount of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin in said suspension is in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the suspension.
A beadlet comprising the synthetic food-grade astaxanthin according to claim 6 encapsulated in a matrix comprising a modified food starch.
The beadlet according to claim 10, wherein the amount of synthetic food-grade astaxanthin in said beadlet is in the range of 0.5 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the beadlet.
A tablet comprising a beadlet according to claim 10 and/or 11.
A human dietary supplement comprising a synthetic food-grade astaxanthin according to claim 6.
The human dietary supplement according to claim 13, whereby the synthetic food-grade AXN is free from AXN mono- and diesters and comprises < 250 ppm of dichloromethane .
The human dietary supplement according to claim 13 and/or 14, whereby the synthetic food-grade AXN comprises < 500 ppm of methanol.
16. A method of marketing synthetic food-grade astaxanthin comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
i) synthetic food-grade astaxanthin according to claim 6;
ii) information describing the benefits of said synthetic food-grade astaxanthin; iii) optional further information.
17. A method of marketing a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food- grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising < 250 ppm of dichloromethane, comprising providing a kit said kit comprising
i) a human dietary supplement comprising synthetic food-grade AXN, free from AXN mono- and diesters, and comprising < 250 ppm of dichloromethane;
ii) information describing the benefits of said human dietary supplement;
iii) optional further information.
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