Introduction to the invention

This invention relates to a method/process of extraction of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals from plant matter and more particularly to the extraction of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals from a first plant matter(s) by employing an alcoholic solvent, or solvent mixture, and comprising the application of one or more reacting compound(s) thereto such as to at least convert one or more of the alcoholic-solvent-insoluble nutrients(vitamins, minerals and other phytochemical constituents) therein into form(s) soluble in the alcoholic solvent, said reacting compound(s) being preferably applied in the form of acid(s)/acidic- constituent(s)-containing second plant matter(s). The highlight of this invention is that by a suitable choice of the nature and concentration of the alcoholic solvent and the said acid(s)/acidic-component(s) containing second plant matter(s), an extract solution can be obtained containing all, or substantially all of the desired phytochemical constituents in a single extraction operation. It will be observed that one of the purposes of the application of said acid acidic compound containing second plant matter(s) is to convert the one or more phytochemical constituents of interest that are insoluble in the said alcoholic solvent, or solvent mixtures, into form(s), that is into compounds, that are soluble therein thus making it possible to get substantially the entire set of desired said constituents extracted out into a single solution through a single primary extraction operation Further, the invention provides for regulating the proportions of the said constituents that are extracted out and obtained in the extract solution. This is particularly advantageous when the extraction of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals is being considered. In such extractions using the process of the invention, the plant species constituting said first and second plant matter(s) and the quantities thereof and the nature and concentration of the alcoholic primary extraction solvent are selected such as to get the desired set of vitamins and minerals in the desired proportions in the resulting extract.

Background of the invention and synopsis and objects of the invention Although plant-based nutrients are also phytochemicals, the distinction has been made here because this invention is particularly related to the extraction of vitamins and minerals from plant matter. The process of the invention is easily and simply applied to the extraction of all phytochemical compounds, including vitamins and minerals.

In the interests of conciseness, therefore, the further description herein is in the context of the extraction of said vitamins and minerals but this is without any limitation to the scope of the invention. Said plant vitamins and minerals together are referred to herein for the sake of conciseness either by the term 'plant nutrients' or 'nutrients'. The process of the invention is equally suitable for other nutrients such as, for example, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, for nutrients and antioxidants other than vitamins and minerals, and to odour, flavour taste, colour and other factors. References to the extraction of said nutrients may also be construed as references to the extraction of the precursors thereof present if any, in the plant matter(s) being processed.

About 20 vitamins, vitamin precursors and mineral nutrients are found in plant matter. Most plant matters contain a plurality of said nutrients.

One set of methods known in the prior art for the extraction and/or isolation of the said nutrients are the extraction processes that involve contacting the plant matter with solvents.

The solvent extracts out said nutrients by dissolution. The solution(extract) containing the solvent and the dissolved nutrients therein is separated from the spent plant matter. The solvent is separated from the extract solution by evaporation or other methods and the dissolved said nutrients recovered in a solid or semi-solid form. Alternatively, the nutrients are recovered in the form of a concentrated solution.

As the said extract solution usually comprises a plurality of the plant constituents, it is referred to as a primary extract solution, or primary extract and the operation as a primary extraction. The material obtained after said solvent removal, whether in the form of a dilute extract, solid, semisolid or a concentrated solution is also referred to as the primary extract, extract solution or as just extract. The solvent used is referred to as the primary solvent. Primary extractions, extracts and solvents are also referred to as crude extractions, crude extracts and crude solvents respectively in the art. Said nutrients(phytochemicals in general) in a plant matter are rarely all soluble in a single solvent. Said nutrients broadly fall into groups of nutrients that can be extracted by single solvents. Thus, to extract out all, or a set of said nutrients of interest usually requires two or more said primary extractions. For example, one extraction may be carried out using water as the primary solvent to extract out the water-soluble nutrients while another may be carried out with a solvent that extracts out the fat-soluble components(nutrients) therein such as, for example, the vitamins A, D, E and . Numerous other combinations of primary solvents are known in the art to extract out different groups of said nutrients.

Multiple primary extractions are a big cost burden and it is clearly advantageous if all, or most of the nutrients of interest could be extracted out in a single primary extraction operation with a single primary solvent. This would require conversion of the non-soluble nutrients in the plant matter into forms that are soluble in the adopted said single primary solvent. Said form(s) obtained following said conversion must be biologically and metabolically active. If not, a subsequent treatment of the extract needs to be provided for conversion of the inactive nutrients into active ones within the scope of the invention. .

Attention is invited to the co-pending Indian application for patent No. 2677/CHE/2011 of 4 ^th Aug. 2011 by the present applicants/inventors and the disclosure therein is incorporated herein by reference. In that invention, the plant matter(s) to be extracted is treated with a suitable reacting agent(s) that is preferably in the form of acid or acidic-component-containing plant matter(s). This treatment is carried out either prior to, or during the contacting of the plant matter to be extracted with the adopted solvent. Said two plant matters are referred to as the first and second plant matter(s) respectively herein. Variants of the process of this invention, corresponding to those considered/discussed in the said specification are possible and are within the scope of this invention. The advantages enumerated in the said specification also apply to the process of the present invention. Because of various cost advantages and the convenience associated with adoption of water as solvent, it is the solvent adopted in that invention. This invention provides for an alcohol solvent or an aqueous alcohol solvent. As solvents, alcohols have certain advantages over water. In this invention, the preferred solvent is aq. ethanol, the choice of which offers a combination of advantages associated with water and ethanol as solvents. Said second plant matter, in the present invention, may be a single plant species or a plurality thereof. This invention offers the scope for developing different said combinations to serve one or more objectives such as, for example, faster extraction, more comprehensive extraction of the desired nutrient(s), reduced requirement and handling of materials such as the plant matter(s) and solvents), less processing steps, simpler flow sheet and others.

Said solvent-insoluble and solvent-soluble forms are referred to herein, as in the cited specification, as unconverted and converted forms. It may be noted, that such references in the present invention are respectively to forms that are insoluble and soluble in the solvents adopted in this invention. This invention provides further that by suitable choice of said first and second plant matter(s), it is possible to obtain said alcoholic-solvent-soluble forms that possess a greater degree of biological and/or metabolical activity and efficacy than the said unconverted forms.

It is further intended in this invention that, preferably, one or more of the solvent-soluble nutrients of the said first and second plant matter(s) are converted into forms that are more soluble in alcoholic solvents. In general, the invention offers the scope of obtaining such said converted form(s) that offer a wide range of such processing advantages, improved product properties and features and cost benefits. Thus, conversion such as to make the insoluble plant nutrient(s) soluble and/or to enhance the solubilities thereof is an object of this invention. Similarly, conversion such as to make the inactive plant constituents) biologically or metabolically active, or to enhance said activities and efficacies is another object of the invention. The features, advantages and objects of the cited invention mentioned hereinabove are also features of this invention. It may be noted that references in the cited invention are to water-insoluble and water soluble forms whereas in the present invention the references are to forms that are soluble/insoluble in water and/or alcohols depending on whether the solvent selected is an alcohol or an aqueous alcohol.

Such extracts are directly administrable to subjects. They can be easily converted into different dosage forms and/or divided into suitable dosage quantities for administration to subjects. It will be observed that obtaining substantially all the targeted nutrients in the extract in substantially the targeted proportions considerably reduces subsequent processing operations required in converting the extract into the final pharmaceutical, food or nutraceutical composition formulation product. As mentioned, a said primary extract of the invention containing the set of desired nutrients in the desired proportions is suitable for direct administration to human and animal subjects without the necessity of further processing. Conversion of the primary extract into different dosage forms suitable for different administration routes is feasible and is within the scope of the invention. Division of the primary extract into different dosage units based on RDA(Recommended Daily Allowance) quantities or other requirements and standards may be carried out within the scope of the invention.

As in the cited invention, the roles of said first and second plant matter(s) in the present invention are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Each may contain nutrient(s) of interest and the set of nutrients of interest that are extracted may come fronrone or both the sources. Each said plant matter, first and second, may comprise a mixture of plant matters of different species and may comprise any plant part such as leaves, fruits, roots, stems, bark, flowers, rhizomes or others, or mixtures thereof within the scope of the present invention. Said acidic reagents for the acidic treatment of the plant matter may come from said first plant matter(s), in addition to said second plant matter(s) within the scope of the invention. This invention provides for selection of said first and second plant matter(s) such that all, or most of the nutrients of interest are preferably obtained in the extract following a single primary extraction operation. The invention further preferably provide that the extraction and yield of the nutrients of interest is enhanced/maximised, the biological and metabolic activities of the nutrients of interest are also enhanced maximised, processing times are reduced/minimised and that the nutrients of interest in the final extract are preferably in the desired proportions that are required in the projected pharmaceutical, nutrition and dietary formulations, or are close thereto such as to eliminate/minimise subsequent treatment operations such as topping-up of constituents, or addition of absent constituents, and others. Alcohols, are very convenient and widely used solvents for plant extractions. Ethanol is particularly versatile and widely used solvent. These remarks apply to both pure alcohols and to their aqueous solutions and also to mixtures of alcohols and to the aqueous solutions thereof. Aqueous ethanol, as also non-aq. ethanol, is a particularly convenient solvent that also happens to be a good pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Ethanol is generally edible and non-toxic, easy to handle and easy to remove from solutions where required. They are better and faster solvents for plant nutrients and dissolve a wider range of said nutrient solutes.

The adoption of aqueous alcohols as said single primary solvents, and particularly aqueous ethanol coupled with said acid treatment of the plant matters by the present invention is novel and offers several technical advantages and cost benefits. It combines the advantages associated with both water and ethanol solvents.

Thus, this invention provides for the adoption of alcoholic solvent(s). The term 'alcoholic solvent' is understood to be quite general as far as this specification is concerned, and includes within the scope thereof any alcohol or a solution thereof, aqueous solution or others. The alcohol may be any of the aliphatic alcohols or mixtures thereof. It is further intended to include within the scope thereof, any solution of an alcohol, or of an alcohol mixture in a suitable solvent such as for example, water. Thus, aqueous alcohols of all strengths are included in the scope of the term 'alcoholic solvents' of this invention. The alcohol(s) in an alcohol solution of this invention may be one that is a liquid at ambient temperatures or that is solid. Aqueous ethanol is the preferred solvent of the present invention.

It is therefore, the object of this invention to devise a process for the extraction of a first plant matter(s) by an alcoholic solvent and employing a second plant matter(s) that comprises reactive component(s)(compound(s)) that convert one or more of the alcoholic-solvent-insoluble nutrient(s) therein into soluble forms such that a greater range(number) of the desired plant nutrients can be extracted out through a single primary extraction operation. A further object is to enhance the yield of the nutrients of interest. A still further object is to provide that said soluble forms are those possessing a greater degree of biological and metabolic

activity/availability than the unconverted forms. A still further object is to convert one or more of the soluble nutrient(s) in the original plant matter into forms that are more soluble in the adopted alcoholic solvents and/or possessing a greater degree of said activity/availability. A still further object of the invention is to obtain an extract that conforms to, or is close, to a desired nutrient composition/formulation as regards the components therein and the proportions thereof. Examples of such desired formulation are supplements based on RDA(Recommended Daily Allowance) values, or other medical, nutritional or dietary standards/requirements. A said extraction operation may comprise a single stage or a plurality thereof. The extract of any concentration generated from any of said stages in the process of the invention is considered to be a product of the invention. All such extract solutions are referred to herein as primary extracts or dilute extracts. A concentrated solution obtained by the removal of solvent from such a dilute extract is also a product of this invention. Within the scope of the invention, extracts, dilute or otherwise, solid or liquid, may be further subjected to physical and/or chemical treatments) towards the production of said compositions/formulations. Products resulting from such treatments are also considered to be products of the present invention. This is elaborated further hereinbelow.

Examples of such further treatment of the said primary extract of the invention within the scope of the invention are: conversion of the constituents) of the solution into the form of any of the known pharmaceutical salts, conversion into forms that have enhanced metabolic and biological , efficacy and activity, conversion into different dosage forms, conversions for obtaining specific form and appearance, consistency, particle size, colour, taste, flavour, bulk, texture and other properties, addition of other nutrient(s), topping-up of nutrient(s), adaption to any of the known pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, incorporation of other food and nutrition factors such as to obtain food, dietary and nutrition supplements, pharmaceutical compositions or nutraceutical formulations, and the like. The carrying out of one or more said treatments or other known treatments on the said primary extract of the invention to obtain a pharmaceutical composition or a food supplement composition or a nutraceutical formulation is within the scope of the invention. The scope of said treatments also includes finishing operations on the extract product. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description, claims and the examples provided herein.

The abovementioned objectives are achieved in the process of the invention by the suitable selection of the one or more species constituting said first plant matter(s) and the said second plant matter(s) and the parameters and procedure of the said extraction operation. Additional steps/operations on the said extract such as to modify/enhance said activities, topping-up of a deficient component, addition of new nutrients, fortification with food and/or nutraceutical components, modification/enhancement of such factors as taste, flavour, texture, colour, bulk and others are within the scope of the invention. It may be noted that within the scope of the invention both said first and second plant matter(s) may each comprise plant material coming from a plurality of plant species.

Preferably, said second plant matter(s) comprises acidic components(free acids and/or acidic compounds) based on one or more of the plant organic acids such as citric, tartaric, oxalic and others. The treatment of said first plant matter(s) with the acidic-component containing second plant matter(s) may be carried out before the said extraction operation of the first plant matter(s) with the alcoholic solvent, or during said extraction operation, or partly in one and partly in the other.

Various methods of contacting the two plant matter(s), said first and second, and of contacting the plant matter(s) and the solvent or solvent mixtures are within the scope of the invention. For example, said contacting may be carried out in solid or liquid phase or alternatively in a slurry phase using any of the contacting methods known in the art.

AH the advantages listed in the said co-pending application are available in this invention. In addition, the adoption of aqueous alcohols, in particular aq. ethanol, offers the combination of advantages associated with the two solvents, water and ethanol. The yields are higher, the processing times lower and the range of the plant nutrients extracted greater.

The process of the invention offers the scope for adjusting the parameters such as the nature and amount of said first and second plant matters and the extraction parameters to obtain an extract product containing substantially all the desired nutrient constituents in substantially the desired proportions such as, for example, the RDA figures. Such an extract product can be made by the invention to be substantially close to the desired formulation such that it is suitable for administration directly to subjects. It is also easily and simply convertible into any of the known dosage forms and is a suitable intermediate therefor and for other subsequent conversion operations leading to the production of pharmaceutical, food and nutraceutical formulations/ compositions/supplements. Said adjusting can also be carried out to obtain other advantageous features/properties in the extract.

It will be observed that the process of the invention offers substantially a ready-mixed, formulation upon the removal of the solvent from the extract solution product of the invention. Such nutrient mixtures, whether in the form of solid, semi-solid or dilute or concentrated solutions, are very suitable and convenient intermediates and starting points for the making of dosage form nutrient supplements. They are also suitable for easy conversion into nutraceutical formulations and food and dietary preparations and supplements. Within the scope of the invention, the process of the invention may comprise optional additional steps such as topping-up of any nutrient that is deficient in the extract of the invention and/or addition of a nutrient that is absent in the extract but required in the formulation.

Within the scope of the invention, additives may be added to the extract of the invention for colour, appearance, flavour, taste, texture, bulk, odour or others. Similarly, additional optional treatment steps are within the scope of the invention to convert one or more of the nutrient constituents that are not biologically active into active forms and/or for converting one or more said nutrients that are less metabolically and biologically active into forms having greater said activity. Optional steps for converting the extract into specific dosage forms are also within the scope of the invention. Similar optional steps for conversion of the extract into different food and/or nutraceutical formulations are also within the scope of the invention.

If the adoption of a particular said reagent(s) is advantageous from the extraction perspective but yields said converted forms that are not biologically active, or less so, then, within the scope of the invention one or more secondary conversion steps may be incorporated in the process of the invention, whereby the biologically inactive form(s) may be converted into metabolically active(assimilable) forms by means of a suitable reagent(s). It will be observed that the process of the invention offers a great deal of operational flexibility in so far as it provides a number of material and processing options.

As would be noted, the process of the invention makes the conventional practice of the isolation of the plant-based nutrients followed by subsequent admixing of the separated nutrients for the making of formulations, wasteful and redundant. The advantages of the process of the invention for extracting nutrients from plant matters are:

(i) the elimination of multiple solvents and multiple extraction procedures;

(ii) the adoption of an alcoholic solvent, in particular, aqueous ethanol as the said single solvent for extracting substantially all the said nutrients; (iii) the elimination of the fractional extraction and other procedures required to separate the individual nutrients in conventional procedures, said nutrients being then combined to get the formulation;

(iv) the elimination/minimisation of solvent toxicity problems and other such adverse factors;

(v) getting substantially all said nutrients in a single extract solution, and/or as a single solid or semi-solid mixture by the evaporation of the solvent therefrom, in reduced processing times, at lower costs and with lesser operating steps;

(vi) simplification of the extraction process by reduction of processing time, reduction of capital costs, operating costs and reduced requirement of space, materials etc;

(vii) the use of eco-friendly said reacting compounds in the form of plant organic acids/ acidic components contained in said second plant matter(s) instead of non-plant based reagents for the said treatment of the first plant matter(s);

(viii) the benefit of extraction also of the nutrients contained in the said reacting- compounds-containing second plant matter(s);

(ix) substantially total extraction and utilisation of the phytochemicals(vitamins and

minerals and others)from the said first and second plant matters, and

(x) operating flexibility. Definitions of terms

In this specification, the scope of the term 'alcoholic solvent' includes, as mentioned,

(a) a single alcohol;

(b) a mixture of two or more alcohols;

(c) a solution of (a) in water or other suitable solvent; and

(d) a solution of (b) in water or other suitable solvent,

wherein said alcohol(s) may be any of the aliphatic alcohols which may be liquid or solid at ambient temperatures. In this specification, the acidic matter(s) selected for reacting with said nutrients may be in any of the following forms or combinations thereof:

(i) inorganic acids and/or inorganic acidic compounds,

(ii) organic acids and or organic acidic compounds,

(iii) one or more plant matters containing organic acids and/or organic acidic compounds. The term 'spent plant matter' is used both for partially and fully spent matter, herein. The extracted plant matter arising at any stage in a multi-stage extraction process is referred to herein as ' spent plant matter' or ' spent matter' . The meaning appropriate to the context may be taken.

The term 'extraction' is used herein to refer to both the overall process of extraction such as of plant matter comprising a series of steps including the actual extraction step(unit operation) involving the contact of the plant matter with the solvent or solvent mixture. Said extraction step may comprise leaching, soxhlet extraction or other known means of carrying out the extraction operation. Such extractions may be carried out at room temperatures or at elevated temperatures. An extraction operation may comprise a single extraction stage or a plurality thereof within the scope of the invention. The meaning appropriate to the context and offering the widest scope may be taken. It is intended herein that the scope of the term 'solvent' also covers the adoption of a solvent mixture unless otherwise specified. The scope of the term also covers solutions of the solvents, or of solvent mixtures, in suitable solvents such as, for example, water. Thus, all aqueous alcohols are included in the scope of the term 'solvent' in so far this invention is concerned. The term 'plant nutrient' and 'nutrient' is to be understood broadly in so far as this specification is concerned to cover all phytochemicals constituting the plant matters) being extracted.

The scope of the term includes all phytochemicals contained in the plant matter being extracted and extends to all constituents in the plant matter relevant to food, dietary, nutrition, medicinal and therapeutical considerations. Specifically, it includes vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidants, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, medicinal principles and other compounds. It also extends to factors in the plant matter such as for odour, taste, colour and others. The term 'nutrients' also covers the precursors thereof, if any, present in the two plant matters.

In this specification, the terms 'acidic components', acidic reagents' and 'acidic compounds' are intended to be interchangeable and are intended to refer to either a free acid(s) or an acidic substance(s) or both. Said acidic reagents may be inorganic or organic. Use of mixtures of organic and inorganic origin acidic components is also within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the acidic components are in the form of plant matter. The term 'reagent' is intended to mean a reactive compound herein. Within the scope of the invention, a said extraction operation may comprise a single stage or a plurality thereof. Different flow arrangements of the various process streams such as of the incoming plant matters, the solvent, the partly and fully spent plant matters and the different streams of the extract solutions of different concentrations are feasible in multi-stage extraction operations and the same are within the scope of the invention.

It may be noted that some of the definitions will be found in parts/sections of the description other than this one.

Brief Description of the Invention

According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a process for extraction of

nutrient(sXvitamins and minerals and other phytochemicals) contained in a first plant matter(s) and a second plant matter(s), by means of an alcoholic solvent, comprising providing said first and second plant matter(s), contacting the two said plant matter(s) with the said solvent or solvent mixture, separating the extract solution from the spent plant matter to yield an extract solution comprising phytochemical constituent(s) in the form(s) originally present in the said first and second plant matter(s) and/or in form(s) derived therefrom through reaction(s) with the acid(s)/acidic components) contained in the said first and/or second plant matter(s), said reaction(s) being such as to at least convert an insoluble said constituents) into a soluble form(s) and further to optionally convert a soluble said constituent(s) into a form(s) that possess greater solubility and/or convert an inactive said constituents) into a form(s) having biological and metabolic efficacy and activity and/or convert a said constituents) into a fonn(s) having increased biological and metabolic efficacy and activity and/or to favourably influence other properties of a said constituents) by said conversion(s), said extract being optionally further treated by one or more known process(es) such as, for example, the removal of the solvent, conversion into pharmaceutically accepted salts, enhancing metabolic efficacy and biological availability, addition and/or topping-up of constituents, addition of therapeutical factors, adapting to a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adapting to an excipient, conversion into a food, medicinal or nutraceutical composition, incorporating one or more additives for colour, appearance, taste, flavour, texture, odour, bulk and other properties, and others, said first and second plant matter(s) being preferably contacted before the contacting thereof with the said solvent/solvent mixture and said terms 'nutrient', 'alcoholic solvent', 'acidic component' being as hereindefined.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The statements elaborating and defining the scope of the invention will be found at different places in the specification. They will be found distributed in parts/sections of the description, other than this one. Within the scope of the invention, the extract solution obtained by the process of the invention may be subjected to solvent removal by any of the known processes such as evaporation thereof to yield a solid extract, or a semi-solid extract or a concentrated solution extract. Within the scope of the invention, the extract product in any of the abovementioned forms may be subjected to any known complementary or supplementary treatment such as, for example, to enhance the efficacy, activity, effectiveness, biological/metabolical availability, form, colour, taste, flavour, bulk, appearance and other factors. In particular, complementary and/or supplementary treatments to convert one or more components of the extract into forms that possess greater metabolic activity are within the scope of the invention. Adsorption of the liquid extract on a suitable excipient and/or binder to yield a solid-form extract is also within the scope of the invention.

Within the scope of the invention, said reacting compound(s) may be acidic, alkaline or others. Said compounds are preferably acidic and may be actual acids or acidic compounds. They may be any of the mineral acids(inorganic acids) or organic acids within the scope of the invention. Preferably, they are plant-based organic acids which may be applied to the first plant matter to be extracted either as free acids and/or in the form of plant matter or other forms. Preferably, the said reacting compound(s) are in the form of free plant-based organic acid(s) and/or acidic compound(s) contained in a plant matter(s) which is referred to herein as the acidic plant matter(s) or second plant matter(s). The term 'acidic component' is intended to refer to both free acid(s) and/or acidic compound(s) and the meaning offering the wider scope may be taken to be applicable.

Said treatment with organic acids makes the one or more said alcoholic-solvent-insoluble nutrients soluble in the solvent. Suitable choice of the plant-based organic acid constituents is provided such that the alcoholic-solvent solubility of one or more of the soluble nutrients is preferably enhanced through said conversion.

Within the scope of the invention, said organic acids can be partly or fully in the form of reagents. As would be observed from the description of the embodiments of the invention appended herein, suitable selection of the acidic components) containing plant matter(s) can give better yields of said nutrient components and also provide other cost benefits. Suitable choice of said acid components can give said converted forms of the nutrients that are more metabolically active and absorbable. Use of plant matter(s) as a source of the required acidic matter in the process of the invention in contrast to other sources is more eco-friendly.

Thus, this invention preferably provides for the use of plant matter(s) as the source of said acidic components). They may be complemented and/or supplemented by non-plant based acidic component(s), whether inorganic or organic or both, within the scope of the invention.

Said reacting compounds adopted for treatment of said first plant matters) may comprise free acid(s) or acidic reagents in addition to the said acidic component(s) containing second plant matter(s) within the scope of the invention. Addition of free acids/acidic components may be carried out to complement, or supplement the action of the adopted said second plant matter(s). Said addition may be carried out before the extraction or at other points in the process of the invention.

The process of the invention involves applying said reacting compounds to the said first plant matter(s) that contains the nutrient(s) to be extracted. The application may be in the solid state wherein the two plant matters are brought into intimate contact. Suitable size reduction and other operations on the plant matter may be carried out for better contact. Other suitable preparatory operations may be carried out on the said first and second plant matters such as cutting, chopping, dicing, crushing, grinding, cleaning, washing, drying, blanching and others, optionally as required.

The two plant matters may be contacted in a liquid phase comprising a suitable liquid wherein the two plant matters are dispersed. Contacting may be enhanced by stirring/agitation or by fluidisation means. Within the scope of the invention, said contacting may be at ambient temperatures and pressures or under elevated temperatures and/or pressures. Hydrothermal cooking may also be adopted in the interests of better yields and faster processing and for other cost benefits. Said liquid contacting phase may be any suitable liquid wherein the plant matter mixture is slurried. The adopted extraction solvent may be utilised as the liquid wherein said two plant matters are brought into contact by slurrying them in the solvent.

In one embodiment of the invention, said two plant matters in suitable sizes are intimately mixed and allowed time for the reaction between said acids/acidic components and the plant matter constituents. A sigma blade mixer or other suitable equipment may be employed for the mixing operation. The mixing operation results in a pulpy mass. Water or other liquid may be optionally added to enhance contact of the two plant matters. After standing for some time the pulpy mixture is contacted with the alcoholic solvent. Cooking of said mass by heating with steam, or hydrothermal cooking thereof are within the scope of the invention.

Alternatively, the two plant matters may be dispersed in the alcoholic solvent, such that said conversion(s) and extraction by dissolution in the solvent proceed side-by-side. In the examples disclosed herein, the two plant matters are firstly mixed together in powder forms and then slurried in the solvent. Alternatively, said first and second plant matters may be added to the alcoholic solvent separately in that order but addition of the two matters the other way round is also within the scope of the invention.

The extraction of the alcoholic-solvent-soluble components of the said first plant matter may be carried out separately prior to carrying out said reaction(s) for the conversion of the alcoholic- solvent-insoluble components, within the scope of the invention. It would be necessary then to have a second extraction operation for the extraction of the said converted nutrient(s).

Within the scope of the invention, each said first and second plant matter(s) may be a mixture of two or more species of plants. Nutrient(s) in the extract may also come from the said acidic components) containing second plant matter(s) within the scope of the invention. That is, within the scope of the invention, the nutrient components from both said first and second plant matters may be extracted. Similarly, a part of the acidic component for said conversion may come from the said first plant matter(s) which may comprise some acidic components, within the scope of the invention. Suitable physical treatment such as, for example, cleaning, drying, cutting, washing, pulping, crushing, grinding, powdering or other may be carried out on the said first plant matter(s) in preparation for contacting the same with the said acidic component containing second plant matter(s). If the said contacting is projected to be done in the solid phase, preferably both the said plant matters are converted into pulp form for more effective contact. Alternatively, if contacting in liquid phase is adopted, the same may be carried out by bringing together the two plant matter(s) in the powder form or juice form or in the form of a water extract or other.

Similar physical treatment may be carried out for the said second plant matter(s) as necessary. A preferred second plant matter comprises amla fruits(Emblica officinalis)or other similar species. These are preferably pulped and the first plant matter(s) intimately mixed with the pulped amla fruit matter. Other preferred acidic plant matters, by way of example, are anatto seed matter, tamarind fruit concentrate, and Jujube(Ziziphus jujube) fruits. Extracting the juice of the second plant matter(s) is also within the scope of the invention. Applying a fruit juice concentrate is another option provided by the invention. This invention finds that amla fruits is a very versatile and advantageous source of said acidic components. Amla fruit matter offers better extraction of the nutrients with less requirement of the acidic fruit matter.

In the process of the invention, the panel of desired nutrients is obtained in the extract solution by means of a single extraction operation. Within the scope of the invention said panel may comprise all the nutrients present in the two plant matters in which case the resulting extract constitutes an essence of the two plant matters.

Within the scope of the invention, plant matter of two or more species may be combined to constitute the said first plant matter(s) and similarly the said second plant matters). By taking appropriate quantities of the plant matter(s) of different species and adjusting the extraction parameters, it can be ensured that the solid, semisolid or concentrated extract solution product of the invention comprises the required combination of said nutrients in the required proportions and concentrations. Said required combination and the amounts of the constituents may be in accordance with any of the medicinal, nutritional and other standards and specifications.

Similarly, two or more plant species may form said second plant matter. The species for the two said plant matters may be selected such that together they give the desired combinations of the said acidic reacting compounds as also of the nutrients. Said first and second plant matters may comprise the roots, leaves, fruits, flowers, stems, branches, rhizomes or other plant parts or any mixture thereof within the scope of the invention.

As mentioned, the roles of a said first and second plant matter are not required to be mutually exclusive within the scope of the invention. A said plant matter(first or second) may provide the said nutrient(s) or said organic acid reacting components) or both.

As mentioned, considerable cost saving can result if groups of said nutrients, and preferably all of said nutrients in a plant matter are extracted by a single solvent. The process of the invention eliminates a number of primary extraction and fractional extraction steps as also the said step of admixing the isolated nutrients for the purpose of making a formulation and simplifies the process of making nutrient mixtures.

The extract product of the invention is a ready intermediate for preparing the formulations and processing them into various dosage forms. The only processing required as far as their nutrient content is concerned is the said topping step and the addition of missing nutrients if any.

The process of the invention can be easily adapted to bring out substantially the full spectrum of nutrients originally present in the plant matter extracted if desired.

Some of the mineral acids tried and found suitable by this invention for said conversion are: hydrochloric, sulphuric, phosphoric, nitric and perchloric acids. Some of the organic acids similarly tried and found suitable for said conversion by this invention are succinic, citric, tartaric, acetic and ascorbic acids.

Said treatment with acidic components converts the said nutrients into salts, esters, alcohols and other compounds that are soluble in alcoholic solvents.

These inventors observe that their investigations show that adoption of organic acids in the form of plant matter containing the acids gives better extraction yields of the vitamins and minerals.

Within the scope of the invention, the action of the reacting compound(s) of the said second plant matter(s) may be supplemented by addition of free acids or acidic compounds at one or more stages in the process. Within the scope of the invention, said organic acids may be added to said first plant matter(s) in reagent forms or in the form of said second plant matter(s) or both. As mentioned, the acidic components) may also come from the said first plant matter(s). It will be observed that the process of the invention will also extract nutrients from the said second plant matters) that contains the desired organic acid components) required for said conversions. From the range of plant matter available for use as said acidic second plant matter(s), an optimum selection of one or more thereof may be made that optimally extracts the desired vitamins and minerals of said first plant matters). The process of the invention offers great flexibility in selecting the plant species for the said first and second plant matters such as to maximise yields, obtain specific combinations of said nutrients, reduce processing times and material requirements and achieve other cost and material benefits.

Numerous acidic-component containing plant matter is available for use as said second plant matter. Some of these are listed hereinbelow. The advantages of adopting such plant matters are the established safety and the non-toxic nature thereof verified by centuries of their use by traditional societies as foods and/or medicines.

The said acidic second plant matter(s) may be such that the resulting converted nutrient(s) are soluble in the adopted solvent but one or more thereof are not biologically(metabolically) active. To take care of the problem, the process of the invention provides for the incorporation of a further step(s) after the extraction step wherein either the extract solution or the solid or semisolid extract is treated with a suitable reagent(s) to convert the said biologically inactive components into active forms. By a suitable choice of said acid components one can obtain higher levels of assimilability and absorption than that offered by the nutrients in their original forms in the plant matter.

The processing steps in the process of the invention described above are amenable to being arranged hi different combinations. It is also feasible to combine some steps. The order of the said processing steps may also be varied within the scope of the invention. Several variants of the process of the invention can be visualised by persons in the art. Such variants, orders and arrangements are within the scope of the invention. The preferred solvent is aqueous ethanol which may be of any strength from about 10% v/v to about 95% v/v. More preferred is the strength range: from about 40% v/v to about 60% v/v. The aq. ethanol solvent strength adopted in many of the embodiments described in detail hereinbelow is about 50% v/v.

This invention finds that the yield comes down as the aq. ethanol strength is reduced from the level of about 50% v/v. On the other hand, increasing the strength does not appear to have much effect on the yield which remains substantially unchanged as the aq. ethanol concentration is raised from the most preferred level of about 50% v/v.

The investigations of this invention reveal that a few of the acid containing plant matters found particularly suitable for adoption as a said second plant matter(s) are:

(i) Amla fruits(Emblica officinalis) which contain citric and ascorbic acids,

(ϋ) Tamarind fruits which contain tartaric and cinnamic acids,

(iii) Guava fruits which contain ascorbic acid,

(iv) Lemon peels containing folic acid,

(v) Hibiscus subdarifa containing hydroxy citric acid,

(vi) Hibiscus rosasinensis containing oxalic, citric and tartaric acids,

(vii) Garcinia cambogia fruits containing hydroxy citric acid,

(viii) Garcinia indica fruits containing hydroxy citric acid,

(ix) Rosemary leaves containing rosmarinic acid,

(x) Acerola fruits containing ascorbic acid,

(xi) Orange and lemon peels containing citric acid,

(xii) Acai berries containing oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and ascorbic acid,

(xiii) Ocimum sanctum leaves containing ursolic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid, and

(xiv) Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves containing corosolic acid.

As mentioned, said acidification of the first plant matter can be optimised with regard to yield and other considerations by a suitable choice of one or more of the abovementioned acidic- compound-containing second plant matters. Examples of said first plant matter that can be extracted by the process of the invention to yield an extract containing a mixture of substantially all the vitamins and minerals therein through a single extraction with alcoholic solvents are:

(i) Bamboo containing silica, calcium and phosphorous,

(ii) Curry leaf containing iron, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals,

(iii) Mustard seeds containing selenium and other vitamins and minerals,

(iv) Lantana camara herb which contains magnesium, calcium, copper and other vitamins and minerals,

(v) Wrightia tinctoria containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and other vitamins and minerals,

(vi) Equisetum arvensis containing silica, calcium and copper,

(vii) Urtica dioica containing silica,

(viii) Garcinia cambogia peels containing calcium, sodium and other vitamins and

minerals,

(ix) Guava leaf containing zinc and other vitamins and minerals,

(x) Ocimum sanctum leaves containing zinc, manganese, sodium and calcium,

(xi) Moringa leaf containing chromium and calcium.

It may be mentioned that the scope of the invention is not limited by the examples provided herein.

Obtaining through a single extraction operation, an extract containing all the desired constituents of a formulation is a major techno-commercial advantage as several extraction steps, solvent recovery and handling steps, fractionation and partitioning steps and admixing steps of prior art processes are eliminated. These advantages can be further increased and enlarged by suitable choice of said plant matters and the acid components thereof.

As mentioned, this invention does not lay down exclusive roles for said first and second plant matters. A said plant matter labelled a first plant matter implies that its function as a nutrient source is primary while its role as a source for said acidic constituents for reacting with the said nutrient compounds is secondary. A said plant matter labelled a second plant matter implies that its function as a provider of said acidic reactants is primary while its role as a nutrient source is secondary. It will be observed that said labels, primary and secondary are a formality and both roles of a plant matter may be of equal importance within the scope of the invention.

In order to provide a clearer understanding of the invention and without limitation to the scope thereof, a few embodiments/examples thereof are described in detail hereinbelow.

In the following examples, the compositions of the extracts are in weight %(w/w) and that of the alcohol solvent in v/v aq. ethanol, unless otherwise specified. In these examples, four extraction procedures were followed:

(i) extraction with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol by the aq.ethanol plus amla fruit matter process of the invention;

(ϋ) extraction with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol without adopting amla fruit matter, this extraction being for comparison purposes;

(iii) extraction with water by the water plus amla fruit matter process of the invention; and

(iv) extraction with water without adopting amla fruit matter, this extraction being also for comparison purposes. Example 1:

This embodiment is a process of extraction of Trichilia connaroides with about 50% v/v aq.ethanol. Amla fruits have been adopted as the said second plant matter. The steps in the process are:

Provide aerial parts of Trichilia connaroides plant

Ψ

Dry under shade (Cemented platform)

Ψ

Powder(Hammer mill) Φ

Extract with about 50% aq. ethyl alcohol exhaustively at about 40-80°C for

about 6 hours by boiling, about three times ( Stainless Steel Extractor)

Φ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10* volume, this is A (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Concentrate Π extract to about 1/10* volume, this is B (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Preserve the ΠΙ extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

Φ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

Φ

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press / Sparkler /Centrifuge)

Φ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5 ^Λ volume (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Φ

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Φ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier / Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier)

Alternatively spray dry the material (Spray Drier)

Φ

Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill Pulveriser)

Φ

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter / Sieve Shaker)

Φ

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Φ

Trichilia connaroides - Alcohol Synergy extract (TASE)

The extract is named Alcohol synergy extract(TASE, for short). The adoption of the said second plant matter in the form of amla fruit matter produces a synergy effect leading to higher overall yield and higher yields of the nutrient components and reduced processing times. For comparison, TC(Trichilia connaroides) plant matter was extracted with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol but without employing said second plant matter, namely, amla fruits. The steps in the procedure adopted were as above except that the amla fruit matter was not used.

TC matter was also extracted by water using amla fruit matter as the said second plant matter. The process involved extraction of Trichilia connaroides aerial parts along with synergistic quantity of Amla fruits with water to yield an extract. The process adopted for the extraction of T. connaroides with water using amla fruits as second plant matter comprised the steps of:

Provide aerial parts of Trichilia connaroides plant

Φ

Dry under shade ( Cemented platform )

*

Powder ( Hammer mill)

Ψ

Mix about 5 kgs of Amla fruits crushed, with about 100 kgs of Trichilia dried aerial parts

Extract with WATER exhaustively at about 40-98°C for about 6 hours by boiling, about three times (Stainless Steel Extractor)

Φ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10 ^th volume, this is A (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Ψ

Concentrate Π extract to about 1/10 ^th volume, this is B (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Preserve the HI extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

Ψ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

ψ

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press / Sparkler /Centrifuge)

Ψ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5 ^Λ volume (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid, and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Ψ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier / Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier)

Alternately spray dry it (Spray Drier) Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill / Pulveriser)

Ψ

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter / Sieve Shaker)

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Ψ

Trichilia connaroides - Water extract (TWSE)

The overall yield of the TC principles in water extraction coupled with the adoption of the acidic second plant matter, namely amla fruits was about 12% by wt. The yield of the saponins and terpenes was about 12.3% by wt and about 3.9% by wt. respectively. The respective figures for water extraction without the adoption of the second plant matter were: about 10%, about 8.2% and about 1.1 % by wt. respectively. As mentioned hereinabove, the extraction of Trichilia connaroides aerial parts along with synergistic quantity of Amla fruits was carried out with about 50% v/v aqueous ethanol as solvent.

The overall yield of the TC principles in the aq. ethanol extract together with the adoption of the acidic second plant matter, amla fruits was about 14% by wt. The yield of the saponins and terpenes was about 15.6% by wt and about 5.5% by wt. respectively. The respective figures for aq. ethanol extraction without the adoption of the amla second plant matter were found to be: about 8%, about 11.1% and about 4.1 % by wt. respectively. The yield of saponins and terpenes in the extracts of the invention compared to said

counterpart(comparative) extracts is greater.

The preferred proportions of amla fruit matter and Trichilia plant matter(Dried aerial parts) are found to be from about 3 kg. to about 7 kg. of amla fruit matter for about 100 kg. of Trichilia plant matter. The more preferred figure is about 5 kg. of amla fruit matter for about 100 kg. of Trichilia plant matter. Increasing the amla quantity beyond the upper figure of about 7 kg. does not appear to influence the nutrient yield. However, at still greater amla quantity levels, there is a fall in the nutrient yield. Example 2

This embodiment provides for extraction of Moringa oleifera leaves with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol. The said second plant matter comprises amla fruit matter. The process steps which given below are generally along the lines of corresponding processes i Example 1.

Provide aerial parts of Moringa oleifera leaves

Φ

Dry under shade (Cemented platform)

Φ

Powder (Hammer mill)

Φ

Mix about 5 kgs of Amla fruits crushed, with about 100 kgs of Moringa oleifera

dried aerial parts Φ

Extract with about 50% v/v aq. ethyl alcohol exhaustively at about 40-80°C for

about 6 hours by heating, about three times ( Stainless Steel Extractor)

Φ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10* volume, this is A (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Concentrate Π extract to about 1/10 ^th volume, this is B (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Preserve the ΙΠ extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

Φ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press/Sparkler/Centrifuge)

Φ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5 ^Λ volume (Concentrator/thin film evaporator)

Φ

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Φ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier / Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier) Alternately spray dry it (Spray Drier)

ψ

Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill/Pulveriser)

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter/Sieve Shaker)

Ψ

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Ψ

Moringa oleifera extract

For comparison, Moringa oleifera leaves were extracted with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol but without adopting the said second plant matter, that is, without using amla fruit matter. The steps adopted are given below and are similar to the steps above for the aq. ethanol plus amla process except for the absence of amla in the latter.

Provide aerial parts of Moringa oleifera leaves

Dry under shade (Cemented platform)

Powder (Hammer mill)

Φ

Extract with about 50% v/v aq. ethyl alcohol exhaustively at about 40-80°C for

about 6 hours by heating, about three times (Stainless Steel Extractor)

Ψ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10* volume, this is A (Concentrator/thin film evaporator) Ψ

Concentrate Π extract to about 1/10 ^Λ volume, this is B (Concentrator/thin film evaporator)

Preserve the ΙΠ extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

Ψ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

Ψ

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press / Sparkler /Centrifuge) Φ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5 ^Λ volume (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Φ

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Φ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier / Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier)

Alternately spray dry it (Spray Drier)

Φ

Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill / Pulveriser)

Φ

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter / Sieve Shaker)

Φ

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Φ

Moringa oleifera extract

For an extended comparison, Moringa oleifera leaves were extracted with water as the solvent and amla fruit matter as the said second plant matter by the process of the invention. The process steps adopted are similar to the extraction of Moringa oleifera with aq. ethanol plus amla fruit matter except that water is substituted for aq. ethanol as the solvent.

Provide aerial parts of Moringa oleifera leaves

Φ

Dry under shade (Cemented platform)

Powder (Hammer mill)

Φ

Mix about 5 kgs of Amla fruits crushed, with about 100 kgs of Moringa oleifera

dried aerial parts Φ

Extract with water exhaustively at about 40-80°C for

about 6 hours by heating, about three times ( Stainless Steel Extractor)

Ψ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10* volume, this is A (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Concentrate Π extract to about 1/10 ^th volume, this is B (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Ψ

Preserve the ΙΠ extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

Ψ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press / Sparkler /Centrifuge)

Φ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5* volume (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Ψ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier/Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier)

Alternately spray dry it (Spray Drier)

Ψ

Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill Pulveriser)

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter / Sieve Shaker)

Ψ

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Ψ

Moringa oleifera extract

For comparison purposes, extraction of Moringa oleifera leaves was also carried out with water solvent but without using amla fruit matter. The steps are generally as in the process of extraction by about 50% v/v aq. ethanol but with the alcoholic solvent being replaced by water.

ψ

Dry under shade (Cemented platform)

Ψ

Powder ( Hammer mill)

Extract with water exhaustively at about 40-80°C for

about 6 hours by heating, about three times ( Stainless Steel Extractor)

Φ

Concentrate I extract to about 1/10* volume, this is A (Concentrator / thin film evaporator) Φ

Concentrate II extract to about 1/10 ^Λ volume, this is B (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Preserve the HI extract for extraction of next batch (Stainless Steel tank)

ψ

Combine A and B (Reactor with agitator)

Ψ

Filter over a filter bed (Leaf filter / Filter press / Sparkler /Centrifuge)

Ψ

Concentrate the filtrate to about 1/5 ^Λ volume (Concentrator / thin film evaporator)

Add an excipient to adsorb the liquid and mix well (Planetary mixer / Rapid Mixer Granulator/ Slurry Tank)

Ψ

Spread it on trays and dry (Tray drier / Vacuum Drier/ Fluid Bed Drier)

Alternately spray dry it (Spray Drier)

Ψ

Powder (Stainless Steel Multi mill / Hammer Mill / Pulveriser)

Φ

Sieve (Stainless Steel Sifter / Sieve Shaker)

Ψ

Blend entire batch quantity (Stainless Steel Double Cone Blender / Ribbon Blender / Octagonal Blender)

Φ

Moringa oleifera extract The following table presents a comparison of the yields and the extract composition obtained with the different processes mentioned hereinabove.

Table 1 - Extraction of Moringa oleifera by the processes of the invention - Comparison of the overall phytochemicals yield and of the alkaloids and saponins

Extraction Extract yield Amount of Amount of

process % by wt alkaloids saponins

% by wt. % by wt

Aq. ethanol plus amla 0.89 18

process of the invention

Aq. ethanol without 0 .21

amla adoption

Water plus amla 0.32

process

Water without 0.04

amla adoption

As will be observed, in comparison to the other systems the yields are higher when the aq. ethanol-amla system of the invention is adopted. The yields of both the saponins, and the alkaloids are also higher.

Example 3

This embodiment is a process for the extraction of green tea leaves with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol. The second plant matter adopted is amla fruit matter. The four process variants, namely, extraction of green tea leaves with water; with water and amla fruits; with 50% v/v aq. ethanol and with 50% v/v aq. ethanol and amla system were adopted, the procedures involving water and amla fruit matter and 50% v/v aq. ethanol and amla fruit matter being the processes of the invention. The processing procedure in the four systems was similar to that outlined in the corresponding procedures of Examples 1 and 2.

The yield was about 24% for the extract made by the process of the invention using 50% v/v aq. ethanol solvent and amla fruit matter. The extract contained about 30% total polyphenols and about 18% Epigallo catechin gallate.

For comparison, green tea leaves were extracted with the same solvent as above but without employing the second plant matter, namely, amla fruits. The yield was about 18%. The extract contained about 18% total polyphenols and about 6% Epigallo catechin gallate.

Green Tea leaves were also extracted with water and amla fruits process of the invention. The yield was about 18 %. The extract contained about 12% total polyphenols and about 4% Epigallo catechin gallate.

When the extraction was done with water but without amla, the yield turned out to be only about 10%. The extract contained about 10% total polyphenols and 3% Epigallo catechin gallate.

The productivity gain can be seen considering that the extraction of about 1000 kgs Green tea leaves with amla and alcohol gave about 240 kgs of extract as against about 200 kgs with amla- water system. The saponins yield, it will be observed, is nearly three times greater by the process of the invention.

Example 4

In this embodiment, Vasaka leaves were extracted using about 50% v/v aq. ethanol as solvent and amla fruits as the said second plant matter in accordance with the invention. The yield was about about 14%. The total alkaloid content of the extract was found to be about 5%.

When extraction was done along the same lines using aq. ethanol as above but without amla fruit matter the yield was observed to be only about 10% with about 2.9% total alkaloids content. When Vasaka leaves were extracted by adopting the water-amla fruits system of the invention, that is with water as the solvent and amla fruits as the said second plant matter the yield was found to be about 12 % with about 1.8% total alkaloids content. Extraction of the same using water but without amla fruit matter gave a yield of about 6%. The total alkaloids content was observed to be about 6%.

The productivity gain is apparent from the fact that extraction of about 1000 kgs Vasaka leaves in the aq.ethanol-amla system of the invention yielded about 140 kgs of extract as against about 80 kgs obtained with the water-amla system of the invention. In terms of saponins, the yield was observed to be about three times in the aq. ethanol-amla system of the invention.

Since the alkaloids assay is more, a lesser window is sufficient in capsule formulation, leaving room for other ingredients.

Said four process variants mentioned in Example 3 were adopted in this example. As mentioned, the processing steps are similar to those in the corresponding procedures elaborated in and referred to in Examples 1 and 2. The flow sheets for the aq. ethanol-amla and the water-amla processes for the examples 3 and 4 are similar except for the difference of solvent. Processes where amla has not bee adopted are similar to their with-amla counterparts except that amla is not in the picture in the former.

Example 5:

Wrightia tinctoria leaves were extracted generally according to the four processing procedures mentioned in Examples 1 to 4. Calcium and saponins were extracted. The variants are extraction with water, with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol, with water and amla fruit matter and with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol and amla fruit matter. The 50%v/v aq. ethanol-amla and the water- amla procedures are in accordance with the processes of the invention.

The comparison of the overall phytochemical yield by the four procedures is presented in Table H below. Comparison of the saponins and calcium yields is also provided. Table Π - Extraction of Wrightia tinctoria leaves by the processes of the invention - Comparison of the overall yield of phytochemicals and of calcium and the saponins

Extraction Extract yield Amount of Amount of

process % by wt Calcium saponins

% by wt. % by wt

20% aq. ethanol plus amla 8.2 4.11 15

process of the invention

20% aq. ethanol without 4.1 1.5 6.1

amla adoption

Water plus amla 5.1 1.9 8.2

process

Water without 3.9 0.2 5.9

amla adoption

The processing steps in this example are generally as in the corresponding procedures in the other examples.

Example 6:

This example covers the extraction of citrus peels by the processes, of the invention and by two processes of the prior art for comparison. The four process variants as outlined in the abovementioned examples were adopted. The variants are: extraction with water, extraction with water and amla plant matter(fruits), extraction with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol and with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol and amla fruit matter. As mentioned, the procedures involving extraction with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol and amla fruit matter and with water and amla fruit matter are processes of the invention. The prior art procedures were adopted to provide comparison of yields. The comparison is presented in Table ΠΙ hereinbelow. Table III: Extraction of Folates as Folic acid from Citrus peels by the processes of the invention - Comparison of the overall yield of the phytochemicals and of folates as folic acid and of the bioflavonoids

Extraction Extract yield Amount of Amount of process % by wt Folates as Bioflavonoids

Folic acid % by wt

% by wt.

50%Aq. ethanol plus amla 3.2 40.5

process of the invention

50%Aq. ethanol without 1.1 35.2

amla adoption

Water plus amla 0.9 19.5

process

Water without

amla adoption

Example 7

This example is of the extraction of a set of B group of vitamins. The set comprises:

Bl - Thiamin as HC1

B2 - Riboflavin

B3 - Niacin

B5 - Pantothenic acid

B6 - Pyridoxine HC1

B9 - Folic acid

This example demonstrates that by selecting suitable said first and second plant matters and the acidic component containing second plant matter and taking appropriate quantities thereof and extracting by the process of the invention one can obtain an extract product that contains all the abovementioned vitamins in proportions that substantially correspond to the RDA values.

In this example, the said first plant matter comprises two plant species: Guava fruits and Holy basil leaves. The second plant matter is lemon fruit peels. It may be noted that as mentioned before, the roles of the said first and second plant matters are not mutually exclusive.

Four batches each consisting of about 825 kg. Guava fruit matter and about 4 kg. of Holy basil leaves were prepared.

The first batch was extracted according to the process of the invention. The first plant matter was admixed with about 4 kg. lemon fruit peels which constituted said second plant matter. The mixture was extracted with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol. The processing steps were corresponding to the processing steps in the process of the invention adopted in the examples described hereinabove.

The second batch was also extracted with about 50% v/v aq. ethanol but without the use of lemon fruit peels. It will be noted that this extraction is without the adoption of said second plant matter. This procedure was conducted to provide a comparison of the yields and the nutrient proportions in the extract. The processing steps in this procedure were generally similar to the steps in the corresponding procedures in the abovementioned examples.

The third batch was extracted with water. Lemon fruit peels were used as the said acidic second plant matter. The processing steps in this procedure were generally similar to the steps in the corresponding procedures in the abovementioned examples.

The fourth batch was also extracted with water but without the use of said lemon fruit peels. As would be observed, second plant matter was not adopted in this extraction. The processing steps in this procedure were generally similar to the steps in the corresponding procedures in the abovementioned examples. . This extraction was also carried out to provide said comparison of yields and proportions.

The comparison is presented in Table IV below. Table IV - Extraction of Guava fruits and Holv basil leaves by the process of the invention Comparison of the overall phytochemicals yield and of the individual vitamins and of the saponins

L em on p e e l s mg/g (2%)

B3 (Niacin) : 39 mg/g B3 (Niacin) :NLT 34 mg/g

B5 (Pantothenic acid) (3.4%)

AO m g g B5 (Pantothenic acid) :NLT 38

B6 (Pyridoxine HC1) mg/g (3.8%)

:25 mg/g B6 (Pyridoxine HC1) : NLT 22

B9 <Folic acid): Nil mg/g<2.2%)

B9 (Folic acid) : NLT 4000

mcg/g (0.40%)

It will be observed from Table IV, that the process of the invention comprising aq. cthanol-amla system is successful in giving an extract that contains the full set of B vitamins in concentrations that generally correspond with the RDA values. The yields of all the vitamins are higher in the extract obtained by the processes of the invention. Furthermore, vitamins that are not extracted in the procedures where second plant matter in the form of lemon fruit peels was not adopted are obtained in the extracts where lemon fruit peels have been used such as in the two procedures according to the processes of the invention, one using water solvent and the other about 50% v/v aq. ethanol. A simple topping-up operation can be carried out on the extract of the invention to adjust the vitamin concentrations tp bring them in further correspondence with the RPA values if desired.

Topping-up and other such supplementary operations on the extract obtained are within the scope of the invention. It may be noted that the water-amla and aq. ethanol-amla procedures in this example are processes of the invention while the other two procedures which are based on prior art were adopted for comparison.

The results of the other tests carried out on the extract of guava fruits and holy basil leaves by the process of the invention using lemon fruit peels as the acidic plant matter are presented in Table V below.

Table V

The extract is directly administrable to subjects. It can be easily converted into dosage units for such administration. The extract is also a suitable intermediate for conversion into other dosage forms; into any of the known pharmaceutically accepted salts or coupled with any

pharmaceutically accepted carrier.

All the plant species mentioned in the examples given above and in other parts of the description are found in India.

The experimental data presented above provide confirmation that by the adoption of said second plant matter nutrient forms that are less soluble in the alcoholic solvent are being converted into more soluble forms through the processes of the invention. Also nutrients that are insoluble in the alcoholic solvent are being converted into soluble forms. It would appear that both mechanisms are contributing to the increased yield in the abovementioned examples. Some of the steps in the abovementioned process flow sheets are optional. Thus, other flow sheets are possible and are within the scope of the invention. For example, the no. of stages and the material flow arrangements/patterns shown are also optional and many other arrangements are possible. The quantitative values given are indicative and do not constitute limitation to the scope of the invention which is defined by the description and claims. All such variants feasible in the art are all within the scope of the invention.

The abovementioned figures demonstrate that yields are higher in the procedures incorporating alcoholic solvent and acidic second plant matter than in the procedures incorporating water as solvent together with acidic second plant matter.

Suggestions of the equipment to be adopted for the various operations are also optional and any suitable equipment available from the wide range of suitable equipment in the art may be adopted. Such variants of the invention are also within the scope of the invention.

Embodiments and variations other than described herein above are feasible by persons skilled in the art and the same are within the scope and spirit of this invention.