US4242502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhancement of cholesterol combining properties of saponins
Assignee: Government of the United States of America
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Filing: 1979-04-20
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-04-20
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the use of Saponins to inhibit cholesterol absorption. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enhancement of the cholesterol combining properties of saponins, by acid hydrolysis of the saponins under mild conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Manuel R. Malinow
- 👤 Phyllis A. McLaughlin
- 👤 George O. Kohler
- 👤 Arvin L. Livingston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:10
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07J; C07J71/00; C07J71/0005; C07H; C07H15/00; C07H15/20; C07H15/24; C07H15/256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of subjecting saponins to acid hydrolysis under mild conditions to enhance their cholesterol-combining properties comprising: (a) dissolving the saponins in an aqueous alcoholic solvent; (b) adjusting the acidity of the saponins solution obtained in step (a) to about from 1.2 to 2.0 N; (c) heating the aqueous alcoholic solution obtained in step (b) until refluxing of the solvent begins and thereafter maintaining the solution at gentle reflux for about from 20 to 60 minutes whereby modified saponins having enhanced cholesterol-combining properties are produced; and (d) recovering the modified saponins obtained in step (c).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of subjecting saponins to acid hydrolysis under mild conditions to enhance their cholesterol-combining properties comprising: (a) dissolving the saponins in an aqueous alcoholic solvent; (b) adjusting the acidity of the saponins solution obtained in step (a) to about from 1.2 to 2.0 N; (c) heating the aqueous alcoholic solution obtained in step (b) until refluxing of the solvent begins and thereafter maintaining the solution at gentle reflux for about from 20 to 60 minutes whereby modified saponins having enhanced cholesterol-combining properties are produced; and (d) recovering the modified saponins obtained in step (c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the alcohol is ethanol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous alcoholic solvent consists of a 1:1 mixture of ethanol and water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the acidity is carried out by the addition of a mineral acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the mineral acid is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the refluxing of the solvent begins at about 90° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the heating at gentle reflux is carried out for about 30 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the recovery of the modified saponins in step (d) is carried out by adding an equal volume of water to the solution obtained in step (c) to precipitate the modified saponins, and the precipitate thereafter recovered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the precipitate of the modified saponins is recovered by centrifugation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the recovered precipitate of the modified saponins is further purified by washing with water to remove any adhering acid, redissolved in hot alcohol, and re-precipitated by addition of water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the hot alcohol solution of the re-dissolved precipitate of the modified saponins is decolorized by the addition of a suitable decolorizing agent before re-precipitating the modified saponins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the decolorizing agent is charcoal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the purified, re-precipitated modified saponins are recovered and dried.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the saponins dissolved in the aqueous alcoholic solvent comprise saponins from alfalfa roots or tops.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The modified saponins produced by the method of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |