Purification of lutein-fatty acid esters from plant materials
Patent 4048203 Issued on September 13, 1977. Estimated Expiration Date: September 13, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
A new process for the purification of lutein-fatty acid esters from marigold flower petals or marigold petal oleoresins based on alkanol precipitation is disclosed. The purified colorant thus prepared is suitable for coloring foods in the yellow to red region.
Other References
Paint Oil and Chemical Review, Dec. 13, 1956, New Oilseed Extraction Process
Rao and Arnold, "Ethanol: A Potential Solvent for the Extraction of Vegetable Oils", Soybean Digest, Mar. 1958, pp. 20-23