Katra Phytochem (india) Private Limited

Katra Phytochem Private Limited

Sethuraman Swaminathan

Kunhiraman Priya Madavalappil

A process for isolation of carotenoids crystals having lutein and zeaxanthin in a weight ratio of about 10:1, 5:1 or 1:1. The process comprises contacting a plant source rich in lutein with hexane and extracting at a temperature of about 40&#xb0; C. to 60&#xb0; C. to obtain an oleoresin rich in lutein; contacting a plant source rich in zeaxanthin with hexane and extracting at a temperature of about 40&#xb0; C. to 60&#xb0; C. to obtain an oleoresin rich in zeaxanthin. The oleoresin rich in lutein and the oleoresin rich in zeaxanthin are mixed separately in a ratios ranging from about 80:20 (w/w) to 90:10 (w/w) or about 70:30 (w/w) to 30:70 (w/w) or about 10:90 (w/w) to 20:80 (w/w) and homogenized to obtain a mixed oleoresin. The mixed oleoresin is hydrolyzed with an alcoholic alkali at a temperature of about 70&#xb0; C. to 80&#xb0; C. to obtain a reaction mixture. The carotenoids crystals are precipitated by adding hot water to the reaction mixture to form a precipitate. Carotenoids crystals having lutein and zeaxanthin in a ratio of about 10:1 or 5:1 or 1:1 respectively are obtained by filtering, washing and drying the precipitate.

Isolation and purification of cartenoids from marigold flowers

The present invention explains a realistic and effective process for isolating and purifying carotenoids containing higher concentrations of carotenoids such as trans-lutein, trans-zeaxanthin, Cis-lutein, &#x3b2;-carotene and Cryptoxanthin from Marigold flower petals under controlled conditions leaving no traces of any organic hazardous solvents. The process involves ensilaging Marigold flowers, dehydration, solvent extraction, alkali hydrolysis of carotenoid esters with absolute alcohol, crystallization/purification using water, absolute alcohol mixture followed by filteration and drying until the crystals are considerably free from moisture and absolutely free from residual hazardous solvents. These crystals are suitable for nutraceutical and food products as supplements.

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Bengaluru, India

Sethuraman Swaminathan