PRODUCTION OF CAROTINOID COMPOSITIONS

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] WO 2014 / 115037 A2 discloses beta-cryptoxanthin crystals from plant source and a process for its preparation. Jaren-Galen et al. (J. Agric. Food Chem. 1999, 47, 9, 3558-3564) discusses the fractionation of Paprika oleoresin by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2). JP 5 893438 B2 discloses an ameliorating agent for retinopathy which contains cryptoxanthin and / or its ester as an active ingredient.SUMMARY

[0002] The invention is as defined in the appended set of claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Carotenoid compositions for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof and methods of manufacture of carotenoid compositions are disclosed herein. In the drawings: Figure 1 depicts an illustrative method of manufacturing a carotenoid composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure; Figure 2 depicts illustrative results of the performance of the carotenoid composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof; and Figure 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of manufacture of the carotenoid composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof.

[0004] It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and detailed description thereto do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are encompassed together with one or more of the given embodiments in the scope of the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components and configurations. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . . . ".

[0006] Carotenoids are any of various pigments such as carotenes found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units. Capsanthin is a carotenoid, as are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These pigments are found in red, orange, yellow, and green fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are antioxidant tetraterpenoids, which aid disease-prevention mechanisms of the body.

[0007] Age-related macular degeneration ("AMD") is a common medical eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among people over the age of fifty. It includes damage to the macula, an oval-shaped pigmented area near the center of the retina that is used for sharp, central vision. AMD may be of two types: dry (atrophic) or wet (exudative). In addition to aging, high blood-pressure, oxidative stress, blue light exposure, obesity, and the like may also cause AMD. The carotenoids in the macula help filter blue wavelengths of sunlight and reduce free radicals near the retina both of which are harmful to eye cells. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the carotenoids present in the retina, and they protect eye cells from photo oxidative damage. Specifically, chronic exposure to blue light, the major cause of AMD, causes reduction in cone density and cone sensitivity, and zeaxanthin may prevent AMD by absorbing blue light.

[0008] Capsicums are a widely consumed natural foodstuff used as a vegetable, spice, and / or color, and paprika extract is an extract of the fruits of the genus capsicum. The genus, which originates from Central and Southern America, belongs to the solanaceae family and includes all peppers, from the mild bell pepper to the spicy habanero. There are five domesticated species of capsicum: annum, frutescens, chinense, pubescens, and baccatum, and the most widely spread are annum, frutescens, and chinense. The first to be introduced worldwide was annum, originating from Mexico. It was previously divided into two categories: sweet (or mild) peppers and hot (or chili) peppers, though modern plant breeding removed that distinction. At present, annum is the most wide-spread in terms of household consumption and industrial processing.

[0009] Annum is the varietal used to manufacture paprika extract for food coloration. Color extracts have a low content of capsaicin compared with the extracts used as spice agents. In the red varietal, capsanthin and capsorubin are the main compounds responsible for the red color. Pure carotenoid crystals derived from the annum fruits include xanthophylls such as capsanthin, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin. The chemical structure of the carotenoid ultimately determines what potential biological function(s) that pigment may have. The distinctive pattern of alternating single and double bonds in the polyene backbone of carotenoids is what allows them to absorb excess energy from other molecules, while the nature of the specific end groups on carotenoids may influence their polarity. The carbonyl group present in capsanthin and capsorubin makes them unique when compared to other carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a method 100 of manufacturing a carotenoid composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure in accordance with some illustrated embodiments. Specifically, disclosed herein are methods for isolating and purifying carotenoids containing a specific composition of carotenoids such as trans-capsanthin, trans-zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin from capsicum annum fruits leaving no trace of organic hazardous solvents. The method 100 includes selection of high colored composition of annum chili varieties, solvent extraction, super critical fluid extraction ("SCFE") enrichment, alkali hydrolysis of carotenoid esters with absolute alcohol, purification using counter current extractor, concentration, and drying.

[0011] At 102, specific varieties of capsicum annum fruits are selected. In an embodiment, the capsicum annum fruit is selected from the Bydagi chili varieties, or other chilies high in color value, alone or in combination such as: Bydagi-Kaddi, Bydagi-Dyavnoor, Bydagi-Dabbi, KDL high color chili, 5531 high color chili, and / or 4431 high color chili. In an embodiment, the ratio of the combination is: (1) Bydagi-Kaddi : (1) Bydagi-Dyavnoor : (1) Bydagi-Dabbi (a ratio of 1:1:1). In other embodiments, unexpected results have been found using the ratio of 1:2:2 and 1:1:2 of Bydagi-Kaddi : Bydagi-Dyavnoor : Bydagi-Dabbi. Additionally, unexpected results have been found using the ratio of KDL high color, 5531 high color, and 4431 high color in 1:1:2, respectively. In various embodiments, the American Spice Trade Association ("ASTA") color value of the Bydagi chilies, or other high color chilies, are selected within the range from 2000 to 2600 units or a range from 2000 to 2400 units.

[0012] At 104, carotenoids are extracted from the fruits with suitable solvents. In an embodiment, dried, deseeded, and flaked capsicum annum fruits undergo extraction using a solvent at a temperature ranging from 40°C to 90°C, preferably at 60°C, for 4 hours to 8 hours, preferably 6 hours. The solvent extract is then concentrated under vacuum to produce capsicum oleoresin containing carotenoids esters. In various embodiments, the extraction solvent may be one or a combination of: methanol, ethanol, and / or isopropyl alcohol.

[0013] For example, 250 kilograms of deseeded, flaked capsicum annum fruits with ASTA color value from 2000 to 2400 units may be placed in a 2000 liter capacity reactor with an agitator. A volume of methanol (1000L) may be added and the mixture may be stirred for 6 hours at 60°C. The methanol layer may be filtered and collected. This methanol extraction may be repeated three times for efficiency purposes.

[0014] At 106, the carotenoids are enriched using super critical fluid extraction. In an embodiment, carbon dioxide is used as a solvent, and the temperature for super critical fluid extraction ranges from 40°C to 60°C, preferably 50°C. In an embodiment, the pressure employed for super critical fluid extraction ranges from 25 to 50 mPa, preferably 35mPa.

[0015] Continuing the above example, all the methanol layers may be combined and concentrated under vacuum. 22kg of oleoresin may be obtained and formulated with approximately 110kg of calcium carbonate in super critical fluid extractor bags. The extractor bags may be placed in an extraction chamber and extracted at 50°C and 35mPa. The yield of enriched oleoresin may be approximately 11kg.

[0016] At 108, the carotenoid esters are hydrolyzed. In an embodiment, the enriched oleoresin is hydrolyzed with alcoholic potassium hydroxide to produce free carotenoids. In an embodiment, the base for hydroxylation is selected from a group consisting of potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the solvent media for hydrolysis is methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, concentration of the hydrolysis agent ranges from 10% to 30%. In an embodiment, the temperature of hydrolysis ranges from 70° to 85°C, preferably 80°C. In an embodiment, the time required for hydrolysis ranges from 1 hour to 3 hours, preferably 2 hours. As the carotenoids are hydrolyzed to free form, they become more bioavailable.

[0017] Continuing the above example, the enriched oleoresin may be placed in a 500L glass lined reactor. In a separate vessel, 5kg of Potassium hydroxide may be added to 40L of ethyl alcohol while stirred. The alcoholic KOH may be added to the enriched oleoresin slowly while stirred at 80°C for two hours.

[0018] At 110, the hydrolyzed carotenoids are purified using counter current extractions. In an embodiment, the solvent used for counter current extraction is ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the immiscible aqueous phase is water or water acidified with hydrochloric acid (pH 3-4), preferably acidified water.

[0019] Continuing the above example, after ensuring the degree of saponification to be more than 99% by HPLC, 40 liters of demineralized hot water maintained at a temperature of 70° C may be added to the reacted mass while stirred for 10 minutes. The diluted mass with carotenoid crystals may be pumped into a filter press to recover the crystals. Around 250 liters of additional hot water may be pumped through the filter press to wash the unwanted impurities and bring down the pH of the effluent to neutral around 7.0. After ensuring the neutralization, a positive pressure of nitrogen may be applied to the filter press to squeeze the crystals trapped inside the filter. The wet crystals with an approximate weight 6.7kg may then be collected from the filter press, dissolved in 60L of ethyl acetate, and charged into a counter current extractor. 100 L of water may be used, and the pH may be adjusted to 3 or 4 with dil-HCl. The acidified water may be bottom fed into the counter current extractor.

[0020] At 112, the capsicum annum extract is blended with excipient(s). In various embodiments, the excipient is sunflower oil, safflower oil, soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin, phosphatidylcholine from sunflower or soy, starch, dextrin, lactose, dicalcium phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and / or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the excipient is a granulating agent, binding agent, lubricating agent, disintegrating agent, sweetening agent, glidant, anti-adherent, anti-static agent, surfactant, anti-oxidant, gum, coating agent, coloring agent, flavoring agent, coating agent, plasticizer, preservative, suspending agent, emulsifying agent, plant cellulosic material, spheronization agent, and / or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the carotenoids are further isolated and / or purified by: addition of one or more solvents, addition of ionic resin, quenching, filtration, extraction, and / or ion exchange resin.

[0021] Continuing the example above, the ethyl acetate layer may be removed, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, and concentrated. The yield of composition may be about 1.1kg. The carotenoid contents as measured by a spectrophotometer may be about 95.34%, with all trans-capsanthin, all trans-zeaxanthin, and all the beta-cryptoxanthin by HPLC at 98.71%, 8.31% and 2.63% respectively. The final product may contain a moisture content of about 0.2% with no traces of residual methanol and ethyl acetate detected by gas chromatography analysis.

[0022] As a result of the above process, in an embodiment the composition of carotenoids ranges from capsanthin: 50% to 80%, zeaxanthin: 5% to 15%, cryptoxanthin: 1% to 5%, and trace amounts of other carotenoids. These percentages, and all percentages herein, refer both to actual percentages and percentages allowable by labeling regulations. In an embodiment, the composition of total carotenoids ranges from 90% to 99%. In an embodiment, the carotenoids are trans-capsanthin: (3R,3'S,5'R)-3,3'-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6'-one; trans-zeaxanthin: 3R, 3'R-β,β-carotene-3,3'-diol; and beta-cryptoxanthin: (3R,6'R)-4',5'-didehydro-5',6'-dihydro-β,β-caroten-3-ol. In an embodiment, the color value of carotenoids ranges from 800,000 to 1,250,000.

[0023] The composition lowers the intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof in various embodiments as shown in Figure 2. Thus, the invention provides the compositions as described herein for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof.

[0024] Figure 2 depicts the results of a study to evaluate lowering of intraocular pressure ("IOP") in animals. The high intraocular pressure originated from an increased resistance to drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. A sustained increase in aqueous humor may be due to an increase in the formation of aqueous humor, a difficulty in its exits, or a raised pressure in the episcleral vein. In this study, IOP was induced by intravitreal injection. Figure 2 shows a bar chart depicting six groups (G1-G6), and the left eye and right eye IOP for each group. The first two groups (G1-G2) are control groups in which no IOP lowering composition was introduced. In G1, IOP was not induced, and in G2, IOP was induced. For the next for groups (G3-G6), the left bar for each eye represents IOP prior to introduction of the composition disclosed herein in one embodiment. The right bar for each eye represents IOP after introduction of the composition. The results show that introduction of the composition reduced IOP to a level almost equal to the group in which IOP was not induced (G1), and significantly lower than the group in which the composition was not introduced (G2).

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates a composition 600 of the capsicum annum extract including capsanthin, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof manufactured as described above in a capsule embodiment. In other embodiments the composition is implemented as a tablet, injectable, cream, gel, ointment, lotion, solution, beverage, confection, emulsion, foam, troche, lozenge, aqueous suspension, oily suspension, patch, dentifrice, spray, drop, powder, granule, syrup, elixir, food stuff, and / or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the composition includes a tablet, soft gelatin capsule, hard gelatin capsule, cream, gel, lotion, and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] The composition may be administered by topical administration, oral administration, intravenous administration, intra articular administration, intramuscular administration, and / or combinations thereof in various embodiments. In preferred embodiments, the mode of administration is oral, topical, intravenous intramuscular, and / or combinations thereof. In addition, materials such as flaxseed, flaxseed oil, vegetarian or vegetable oil, and other oils may be combined with the composition to stabilize the active ingredients. Regardless of the amount of materials combined with the composition, the percentages of carotenoids in relation to the total amount of carotenoids remains the same in at least some embodiments.

[0027] Additional embodiments and features of the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in art based upon description provided herein. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the nonlimiting embodiments in the description. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the following examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0028] In some aspects, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided according to one or more of the following examples:

[0029] Example 1: A capsicum annum extract composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof includes capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%, zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%, and cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%.

[0030] Example 2: A method for manufacturing a composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure includes extracting carotenoids from capsicum annum fruits using a solvent or solvents, enriching the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction, hydrolyzing the carotenoids, and purifying the carotenoids using counter current extractions.

[0031] Example 3: A method for manufacturing a composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure includes extracting carotenoids from capsicum annum fruits using a solvent or solvents, enriching the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction, hydrolyzing the carotenoids, and purifying the carotenoids using counter current extractions such that the composition includes capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%, zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%, and cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%.

[0032] The following features may be incorporated into the various embodiments described above, such features incorporated either individually in or conjunction with one or more of the other features:

[0033] The capsanthin may include trans-capsanthin (3R,3'S,5'R)-3,3'-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6'-one), the zeaxanthin may include trans-zeaxanthin (3R, 3'R-β,β-carotene-3,3'-diol ), and the cryptoxanthin may include beta-cryptoxanthin (3R,6'R)-4',5'-Didehydro-5',6'-dihydro-β,β-caroten-3-ol. The color value of carotenoids may range from 800,000 to 1,250,000. The composition lowers the intraocular pressure associated with tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, and angle closure glaucoma. The composition may be in a form such as a capsule, tablet, injectable, cream, gel, ointment, lotion, solution, beverage, confectionery, emulsion, foam, troche, lozenge, aqueous suspension, oily suspension, patch, dentifrice, spray, drop, powder, granule, syrup, elixir, or food stuff. The capsicum annum fruits may be the KDL high color, 5531 high color, and 4431 high color in a 1:1:2 ratio, respectively. The ASTA color value of the capsicum annum fruits may range from 2000 to 2600 units. The solvents may include ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Extracting the carotenoids may include extracting the carotenoids at a temperature ranging from 40°C to 90°C for a time period ranging from 4 hours to 8 hours. The solvent media for super critical fluid extraction may be carbon dioxide. Enriching the carotenoids may include enriching the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction at a temperature ranging from 40°C to 60°C. Enriching the carotenoids may include enriching the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction at a pressure ranging from 25 mPa to 50 mPa. Hydrolyzing the carotenoids may include hydrolyzing the carotenoids using KOH and NaOH. Hydrolyzing the carotenoids may include hydrolyzing the carotenoids using Methanol, Ethanol, and Isopropyl alcohol. Hydrolyzing the carotenoids may include hydrolyzing the carotenoids using a hydrolysis agent within the range of 10% to 30%. Hydrolyzing the carotenoids may include hydrolyzing the carotenoids at a temperature within the range of 70°C to 85°C. Hydrolyzing the carotenoids may include hydrolyzing the carotenoids within the range of 1 hour to 3 hours. Purifying the carotenoids may include purifying the carotenoids using a solvent for counter current extraction comprising ethyl acetate and isopropyl acetate. An immiscible aqueous phase may be used for counter current extraction water and water acidified with hydrochloric acid (pH 3-4). The methods may further include blending the carotenoids with an excipient such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin, phosphatidylcholine from sunflower or soy, starch, dextrin, lactose, dicalcium phosphate, or colloidal silicon dioxide.

Claims

1. A capsicum annum extract composition (600) for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma, and / or combinations thereof, wherein the composition comprises: capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%; zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%; and cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%.

2. The composition (600) for use according to claim 1, wherein the capsanthin comprises trans-capsanthin (3R,3'S,5'R)-3,3'-Dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6'-one), the zeaxanthin comprises trans-zeaxanthin (3R, 3'R-β,β-carotene-3,3'-diol ), and the cryptoxanthin comprises beta-cryptoxanthin (3R,6'R)-4',5'-Didehydro-5',6'-dihydro-β,β-caroten-3-ol.

3. A method (100) for manufacturing a composition for use in the reduction of intraocular pressure, wherein the method comprises: extracting (104) carotenoids from capsicum annum fruits using a solvent or solvents; enriching (106) the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction; hydrolyzing (108) the carotenoids; and purifying (110) the carotenoids using counter current extractions such that the composition includes capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%, zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%, and cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%.