Pongamia composition, method for preparing the same and method for analyzing the same, and use thereof

Abstract

This invention provides a method for preparing, analyzing, and using a pongamia composition containing low concentrations of carandin and pongamol. [Solution] In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising: preparing an extraction mixture by mixing a pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent; preparing an irradiated mixture by irradiating the extraction mixture with microwave radiation; separating the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and an alkyl alkanoate extract; and measuring the calandin concentration in the alkyl alkanoate extract.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 741,351, filed on October 4, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] [Technical Field] The present disclosure generally relates to products of Pongamia oilseeds, and more specifically to Pongamia compositions having low concentrations of residual Pongamia oil, karanjin, and pongamol, and methods of preparing and using such Pongamia compositions. The present disclosure also relates to methods for analyzing Pongamia compositions prepared by the methods described herein and by other processing methods known in the art. The present disclosure also relates to the use of Pongamia compositions as feed for cattle and other ruminants.

[0003] [Background] Pongamia seed cake is a by - product of oil extraction from Pongamia oilseeds and provides a potential renewable source of protein for use in food. However, crude Pongamia seed cake contains residual oil and native chemical components such as karanjin and pongamol. In order to be used as a suitable food source, it is desirable to reduce the amounts of karanjin and pongamol in the seed cake. In particular, karanjin and pongamol have been identified as economically valuable in their own right, and as a result, various treatments for extracting high - purity karanjin and pongamol from crude Pongamia seed cake have been investigated. However, existing methods often result in incomplete removal of residual oil, karanjin, and pongamol from Pongamia seed cake, and thus impede downstream use of the seed cake itself.

[0004] Currently, there is a need for Pongamia compositions having low concentrations of residual oil, karanjin, and pongamol, as well as improved methods for more completely and thoroughly extracting karanjin and pongamol from crude Pongamia seed cake.

[0005] Furthermore, a major obstacle to the development of improved extraction methods was the lack of a standardized method for evaluating the levels of curcumin and pongamol remaining in the seed cake after such processing. There are currently many methods for quantifying residual curcumin and pongamol in the cake of pongamia seeds after the extraction process, but these methods are often inaccurate and / or ambiguous.

[0006] Most of the analytical methods evaluate the concentrations of curcumin and pongamol in the pongamia composition by measuring the concentrations of these chemical components, curcumin and pongamol, present in the corresponding methanol or hexane solvent extracts, thereby alternatively evaluating the concentrations in the pongamia composition. However, such methods are dependent on the efficiency of methanol or hexane extraction, and such efficiency depends on the nature of the material being analyzed and the history of the treatment that the material has undergone up to that point, and varies from method to method, so the values of curcumin and other compounds in the cake of pongamia seeds reported by these methods are inaccurate. Furthermore, for samples in the same pongamia seed cake, various concentrations of oil, curcumin, and pongamol have been reported by different analytical methods, and the said analytical methods often do not provide an internally consistent reference scale across different treatments. As a result, meaningful comparison of different treatment methods based on existing analytical methods has been difficult in this technical field.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for pongamia compositions having low concentrations of residual oil, curcumin, and pongamol, as well as alternative methods for producing such pongamia compositions, and more accurate methods for analyzing pongamia compositions produced by various common treatment methods.

[0008] 〔Summary〕 In one embodiment, a method is provided herein that includes: preparing an extraction mixture by mixing a pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent; preparing an irradiated mixture by irradiating the extraction mixture with microwave radiation; and separating the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and an alkyl alkanoate extract, and measuring the calandin concentration in the alkyl alkanoate extract.

[0009] In another embodiment, a method is provided herein that includes preparing a first pongamia composition, wherein the first pongamia composition is a cake of defatted pongamia seeds obtained by mechanical extraction and contains 8 to 30% by weight of oil; preparing an extract mixture by mixing the first pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent; and separating the extract mixture into miscellaneous and a second pongamia composition, wherein the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of (i) less than 20% of the carandin concentration in the first pongamia composition, or (ii) 100 ppm or less.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a pongamia composition comprising carandin and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones is provided herein. In some variations, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In certain variations, the carandin concentration is measured by treating the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent under microwave irradiation.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, a pongamia composition manufactured according to the method described herein is provided. In another embodiment, a feed composition comprising any of the pongamia compositions described herein is provided herein.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, a method for feeding ruminants is provided, comprising providing the ruminants with either a pongamia composition or a feed composition as described herein.

[0013] [Brief explanation of the drawing] This application can be understood by referring to the following description together with the attached drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an exemplary process for analyzing a pongamia composition.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an exemplary process for preparing a pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0016] Figures 3A and 3B show bar graphs comparing the total concentrations of calandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) extracted from defatted pongamia seed cakes using various methanol-based extraction methods.

[0017] Figures 4A and 4B show bar graphs comparing the total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from defatted pongamia seed cakes using various solvents (methyl tert-butyl ether, ethanol, hexane, toluene, and ethyl acetate) in combination with various extraction methods.

[0018] Figures 5A and 5B are bar graphs comparing the total concentrations (in ppm, adjusted for starting material amount) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cakes using microwave-assisted extraction with ethyl acetate or ionic liquid as the solvent.

[0019] Figures 6A and 6B show a comparison of the total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cake using various methods and solvents shown in Figures 3A–5B.

[0020] Figures 7A-7B show bars for the observed total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cakes using various alkyl alkanate solvents in combination with microwave-assisted solvent extraction.

[0021] Figures 8A and 8B show bar graphs comparing the residual concentrations of curandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) in cakes of pongamia seeds subjected to various mechanical treatments, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis.

[0022] Figures 9A and 9B show bar graphs comparing the residual concentrations (ppm, adjusted for starting material amount) of curandin and pongamol in pongamia seed cakes subjected to various mechanical treatments combined with solvent extraction, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis.

[0023] [Detailed explanation] The following description includes exemplary methods, parameters, etc. However, it should be recognized that such description is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure and is instead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments.

[0024] The following description concerns pongamia compositions having low concentrations of calandin and pongamol, methods for preparing and using pongamia compositions having low concentrations of calandin, and methods for analyzing pongamia compositions.

[0025] [Analysis method for Pongamia composition] In some embodiments, methods for analyzing pongamia compositions are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods for measuring the concentrations of calandin and pongamol in pongamia are provided herein.

[0026] Pongamia ('Cytisus pinnatus', 'Dalbergia arbore', 'Derris indica', 'Galedupa pungum', 'karanj', 'Millettia pinnata', 'pongamia', 'pongamia', 'pongamia glabra', 'Pterocarpus' Oilseeds extracted from pongamia (also known as flavus, pongamia pinnata, Robinia mitis, Indian beech, and mempari) are highly valued as a renewable oil source. For example, new benefits for non-petroleum-based fuel sources have led to the use of pongamia oil as a feedstock for biodiesel production in many parts of the world.

[0027] The defatted pongamia seed cake, remaining after oil extraction from pongamia oilseeds, has long been recognized as a potentially sustainable source of protein that can be used as a nutritional supplement. However, defatted pongamia seed cake contains high concentrations of carandin and pongamol. These high concentrations have generally prevented the use of seed cake in food without harmful health effects. These compounds can render the seed cake inedible and potentially harmful to humans and animals. Previous attempts to develop edible pongamia compositions have been partially unsuccessful due to the fact that consistent, acceptable maximum thresholds for carandin concentration and other antinutrients intended for consumption have not yet been established. Furthermore, existing methods for analyzing pongamia compositions are inaccurate and unreliable, making it a challenging task to determine the maximum acceptable carandin concentration, and of course, to assess the concentration of carandin present in pongamia compositions. Therefore, more accurate methods for measuring the levels of carandin and other antinutrient compounds present in pongamia compositions are still needed.

[0028] This disclosure addresses this need by providing a method for analyzing pongamia compositions, namely, a method for measuring the concentrations of calandin and other compounds specific to pongamia oilseed with greater precision and clarity than existing methods. Specifically, in some embodiments, this disclosure provides a microwave-assisted solvent extraction analytical method for determining the concentrations of calandin and pongamol in pongamia compositions. Solvents suitable for use in such methods are described herein and may include solvents containing alkyl alkanates.

[0029] Surprisingly, the analytical method of this disclosure not only provides a more accurate measurement of calandin and pongamol in pongamia compositions than previously existing methods, but it has also been found that similar conventional methods using hexane and methanol-based assays significantly underreport the concentration of residual calandin in the treated pongamia compositions. The use of an alkyl alkanoate solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate, including in combination with microwave radiation, leads to improved extraction efficiency of calandin and pongamol from pongamia compositions and, consequently, improved quantification of residual calandin and pongamol remaining in the treated pongamia compositions. Therefore, the analytical method described herein provides a widely applicable yet reliable means for detecting and quantifying the presence of calandin and pongamol in various pongamia-derived compositions at concentrations lower than those detectable by conventional hexane and methanol-based methods.

[0030] In one embodiment, the foregoing provides a method for analyzing a pongamia composition, the method comprising: preparing an extract mixture by mixing the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent; preparing an irradiated mixture by irradiating the extract mixture with microwave radiation; separating the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and an alkyl alkanoate extract; and measuring the concentrations of calandin and pongamol in the alkyl alkanoate extract, such as the corresponding concentrations in the pongamia composition, using substitutes. In another embodiment, the foregoing provides a method for measuring the concentrations of calandin and pongamol in a pongamia composition, comprising treating the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent under microwave irradiation.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, process 100 is an exemplary process for analyzing the pongamia composition. In step 102, the pongamia composition is prepared. In step 104, the pongamia composition is mixed with an alkyl alkanoate solvent to provide an extraction mixture. The extraction mixture contains the pongamia composition and the alkyl alkanoate solvent. In step 106, the extraction mixture is irradiated with microwave radiation to prepare an irradiated mixture. In step 108, the irradiated mixture is separated to produce the extracted pongamia composition and alkyl alkanoate extract. In step 110, the alkyl alkanoate extract is analyzed.

[0032] In other modifications, it should be understood that process 100 may include additional processing steps. In yet another modification, certain steps of process 100 may be omitted.

[0033] One modified example provides a method for analyzing a pongamia composition, which includes: preparing an extraction mixture by mixing the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent; preparing an irradiated mixture by irradiating the extraction mixture with microwave radiation; separating the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and an alkyl alkanoate extract; and measuring the calandin concentration in the alkyl alkanoate extract.

[0034] In some embodiments, the pongamia composition includes pongamia seeds. In other embodiments, the pongamia composition includes a cake of defatted pongamia seeds. In certain embodiments, the pongamia composition includes pongamia seeds and / or a cake of defatted pongamia seeds.

[0035] In the aforementioned modified example, where the Pongamia composition is a cake of defatted Pongamia seeds, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by mechanical extraction. In certain embodiments, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by mechanical extraction of Pongamia seeds. In other embodiments, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by mechanical extraction of Pongamia seed cake. In certain embodiments, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by mechanical extraction using an expeller press. In other embodiments where the Pongamia composition includes a cake of defatted Pongamia seeds, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by solvent extraction of Pongamia seeds or Pongamia seed cake. In certain embodiments, the defatted Pongamia seed cake is obtained by solvent extraction of Pongamia seed cake using an alkyl alkanoate solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate, such as ethyl acetate. In yet another embodiment, the pongamia composition includes a cake of defatted pongamia seeds, in which case the cake of defatted pongamia seeds is obtained by mechanical extraction, solvent extraction, or a combination thereof.

[0036] In some embodiments of the method described above, the pongamia composition is mixed with an alkyl alkanoate solvent. In some variations, the alkyl alkanoate solvent is a solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate. In a particular variation, the solvent contains one alkyl alkanoate. In other variations, the solvent contains a mixture of alkyl alkanoates. The alkyl alkanoate solvent may contain only alkyl alkanoates or may contain one or more additional cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In some embodiments, the pongamia composition is mixed with an alkyl alkanoate solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate. In a particular embodiment, the alkyl alkanoate solvent contains at least one alkyl alkanoate and one or more cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In other embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent contains at least one alkyl alkanoate but does not contain any cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In some variations, "alkyl alkanoate" contains at least one ester group in which a hydrogen atom of a carboxylic acid group is substituted by an alkyl group. In a particular variation, the alkyl alkanoate contains one ester group in which a hydrogen atom of a carboxylic acid group is substituted by an alkyl group.

[0037] In some embodiments of the solvent, the alkyl of the alkyl alkanoate is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl. In other embodiments, the solvent includes methyl alkanoate, ethyl alkanoate, propyl alkanoate, or butyl alkanoate, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes ethyl alkanoate. In some embodiments, the alkanoic acid is ethaneic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, or pentanoic acid. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes alkyl ethaneate, alkyl propanoate, alkyl butanoate, alkyl pentanoate, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes alkyl ethaneate. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes ethyl acetate. In other embodiments, the solvent is ethyl acetate.

[0038] In some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent includes alkyl alkanoates selected from the group consisting of methyl methaneate, methyl ethaneate, methyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, methyl pentanoate, ethyl methaneate, ethyl ethaneate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl pentanoate, propyl methaneate, propyl ethaneate, propyl propanoate, propyl butanoate, propyl pentanoate, butyl methaneate, butyl ethaneate, butyl propanoate, butyl butanoate, and butyl pentanoate, as well as any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent includes alkyl alkanoates selected from the group consisting of methyl ethaneate, methyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, ethyl methaneate, ethyl ethaneate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, propyl methaneate, propyl ethaneate, propyl propanoate, propyl butanoate, butyl methaneate, butyl ethaneate, butyl propanoate, and butyl butanoate, as well as any combination thereof.

[0039] Furthermore, it should be recognized that chemical names used herein in accordance with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature may also be referred to by their corresponding common names, for example, ethane esters may be called acetate esters, propanoates may be called propionicates, butyrates may be called butyrates, and pentanoates may be called valers. Alkyl ethaneates, for example, may also be called acetate esters.

[0040] In other embodiments, the method involves combining the Pongamia composition with a solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate of formula (I), [ka] During the ceremony, R 1 It is a C1-C4 alkyl group, R 2 It is hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group.

[0041] In some embodiments, R 1 is C1-C4 alkyl, and R 2 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl. In certain embodiments, R 1 and R 2 are independent C1-C4 alkyls. In certain other embodiments, R 1 is C1-C4 alkyl and R 2 is hydrogen.

[0042] R 1 is C1-C4 alkyl in some embodiments, R 1 is CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, (CH3)2CH-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2(CH3)CH-, (CH3)2CHCH2-, or (CH3)3C-. In certain embodiments, R 1 is CH3CH2-. In other embodiments, R 1 is CH3CH2CH2CH2-. In yet another embodiment, R 1 is CH3CH2CH2-.

[0043] In some embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R 2 is C1-C4 alkyl. R 2 is C1-C4 alkyl in some embodiments, R 2 is CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, (CH3)2CH-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2(CH3)CH-, (CH3)2CHCH2-, or (CH3)3C-. In certain embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen, CH3-, CH3CH2-, or CH3CH2CH2-.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, R 1 is CH3CH2 and R 2 is CH3-. In some embodiments, R 1 is CH3CH2- or CH3CH2CH2CH2- and R 2 is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R1 It is CH3CH2CH2-, and R 2 It is CH3CH2CH2- or CH3CH2CH2CH2-.

[0045] In other embodiments, R 1 R is a C1-C3 alkyl group. In further embodiments, R 1 is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl. In certain embodiments, R 1 is ethyl. In some embodiments, R 1 is a C2-C4 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, R 1 is ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl. In other embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl. In certain embodiments, R 2 is methyl. In yet another embodiment, R 1 is ethyl, and R 2 It is methyl.

[0046] The analytical method of this disclosure uses the alkyl alkanoate solvent described herein in combination with microwave radiation to provide high extraction efficiency for calandin and pongamol. Thereafter, the analytical method of this disclosure results in a more accurate measurement of calandin concentration than other analytical methods based on methanol or hexane extraction, for example. In some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent used in the analytical method described herein excludes certain cosolvents. In some embodiments of the aforementioned analytical method, the alkyl alkanoate solvent mixed with the pongamol composition does not contain alcohols, alkanes, ketones, ethers, and / or aromatic hydrocarbons. In certain embodiments, the solvent does not contain methanol, ethanol, propanol, hexane, methyl tert-butyl ether, diethyl ether, toluene, benzene, or acetone. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent does not contain diketones or diesters such as succinate esters, sebacate esters, glutarate esters, or malonic acid esters.

[0047] However, it should be recognized that in some modifications, the alkyl alkanoate solvent may contain trace amounts or residual levels of the excluded solvents disclosed above. These traces of additional solvents may be introduced into the alkyl alkanoate solvent, for example, by standard chemical manufacturing or handling procedures. Residual levels of solvents such as methanol or hexane may be kept below certain thresholds of total impurities in the alkyl alkanoate solvent that are considered acceptable for standard analytical measurements, thereby not significantly affecting the effectiveness of the analytical methods described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent contains one or more additional solvents that are not alkyl alkanoate solvents, and the sum of the concentrations of the one or more additional solvents is less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of the solvent.

[0048] In some embodiments, this method involves mixing a pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent to provide an extraction mixture. In certain embodiments, mixing the pongamia composition with the alkyl alkanoate solvent may involve mixing, stirring, or turbulent stirring the pongamia composition and the alkyl alkanoate solvent together to prepare an extraction mixture. In other embodiments, mixing the pongamia composition with the alkyl alkanoate solvent may involve heating the pongamia composition and the alkyl alkanoate solvent to prepare an extraction mixture. It should also be recognized that the pongamia composition and the alkyl alkanoate solvent may be stirred, turbulent stirred, or heated individually before mixing. It should also be recognized that the methods of this disclosure provide variations of other parameters that may be part of the mixing step, including, for example, the duration for which the pongamia composition and the alkyl alkanoate solvent are mixed, the temperature and / or pressure at which they are mixed, the ratio of the pongamia composition to the alkyl alkanoate solvent being mixed, and other physical properties of the pongamia composition such as particle size distribution.

[0049] In some embodiments, the extraction mixture is irradiated to provide the irradiated mixture. In certain embodiments, the extraction mixture is irradiated with microwave radiation to prepare the irradiated mixture. In some embodiments, the extraction mixture is irradiated using a microwave extractor. In other embodiments, the disclosure also provides variations of parameters that may be related to the irradiation step, including, for example, the duration, temperature, pressure, and frequency of the microwave radiation to which the extraction mixture is irradiated.

[0050] It should be noted that, thanks to the efficacy of the combination of alkyl alkanoate solvent and microwave radiation, the analytical methods of this disclosure do not require specific techniques commonly used in existing analytical methods, such as Soxhlet extraction, pre-immersion of pongamia seeds or seed cakes with sodium hydroxide, or pre-treatment of pongamia seeds or seed cakes with subcritical water / steam. For example, in some embodiments, this disclosure provides an analytical method that does not involve Soxhlet extraction. In other embodiments, the analytical method does not involve immersion of pongamia seeds or seed cakes in a base (e.g., a hydroxide solution).

[0051] In some embodiments, the irradiation mixture is separated into a solid component and a liquid component. The solid component is referred herein to as the extracted pongamia composition, and the liquid component is referred to as the solvent extract (or alternatively, an alkyl alkanoate extract). The irradiation mixture can be separated into the extracted pongamia composition and the solvent extract by any suitable method known in the art for solid-liquid separation. For example, in certain embodiments, the irradiation mixture is separated by centrifugation. In some embodiments, the irradiation mixture is separated by decantation. In other embodiments, the irradiation mixture is separated by filtration.

[0052] In some embodiments, the extracted pongamia composition contains any solid substances and / or intrinsic chemical components originally present in the pongamia composition mixed with the alkyl alkanoate solvent. However, these were insoluble in the alkyl alkanoate solvent and therefore not partitioned into the liquid phase of the extract.

[0053] In some variations, the solvent extract contains an alkyl alkanoate solvent (including alkyl alkanoates and any cosolvent) and specific chemical components unique to Pongamia. These specific chemical components were extracted from the Pongamia composition into the alkyl alkanoate solvent. In some embodiments, the extract contains furanoflavonoids. Furanoflavonoids can be further identified by subclasses, including, for example, flavones, flavonols (e.g., carandin), and dibenzoylmethane (e.g., pongamol). In certain embodiments, the extract contains carandin. In other embodiments, the extract contains pongamol. In some embodiments, the extract contains carandin and other furanoflavonoids. In some embodiments, the extract contains at least one furanoflavonoid selected from the group consisting of carandin, pongamole, lanceolatin, canjon, pongagrabron, pongagrabol, ovaliforin, sanaganon, pinnatin, gamatin, pongon, gravon, carangonol, pongapin, pachycarin, pongagrabol methyl ether, isopongagrabol, methoxyisopongagrabol, pongol methyl ether, millettocalyxin, 6-methoxyisopongagrabol, pongamoside A, pongamoside B, ponganone XI, pongamoside C, glabra I, ovalitenone, ponganone IX, and pongarotene.

[0054] In some embodiments, following the separation of the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and a solvent extract, the method further includes analyzing the solvent extract. As described herein, the step of analyzing the solvent extract includes measuring the concentration of a particular chemical component in the solvent extract, which serves as an alternative measurement of the concentration of that chemical component originally present in the pongamia composition. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring the individual concentrations of one or more furanoflavonoids in the solvent extract. In certain embodiments, the method includes measuring the concentration of carandin in the solvent extract. In other embodiments, the method includes measuring the concentration of pongamol in the solvent extract.

[0055] The concentrations of calandin, pongamol, and other furanoflavonoids in solvent extracts can be measured using analytical separation and detection techniques known in the art. In some embodiments, the concentrations of calandin, pongamol, and other furanoflavonoids are measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In other embodiments, the concentrations of calandin, pongamol, and other furanoflavonoids are measured by HPLC-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). In specific embodiments, the concentrations of calandin, pongamol, and other furanoflavonoids are measured by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS / MS). In some embodiments, the concentrations of calandin, pongamol, and other furanoflavonoids are measured by HPLC-UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis (HPLC-UV-vis).

[0056] In some variations, the analytical methods described herein may be referred to as “microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analytical methods.” In certain embodiments where a particular alkyl alkanoate is used as the alkyl alkanoate solvent, the extraction may be more specifically referred to by the particular alkyl alkanoate used. For example, in certain embodiments of the above-described methods in which the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises ethyl acetate, the analytical method may be referred to as “microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analytical methods.”

[0057] References to the “microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method” should be recognized as including embodiments in which the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises at least one alkyl alkanoate solvent and one or more non-alkyl alkanoate cosolvents of any choice. For example, the “microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis method” may refer to the use of an alkyl alkanoate solvent comprising ethyl acetate and one or more optional cosolvents of any choice.

[0058] [Method for preparing Pongamia composition] As described above, conventional efforts to develop improved methods for preparing pongamia compositions having low concentrations of residual oil, curandin, and pongamol have previously been hindered by the unreliability and inconsistency of existing analytical methods for measuring such concentrations. However, the development of improved methods for preparing pongamia compositions having low concentrations of curandin is now possible thanks to the analytical methods described above. Such analytical methods provide greater accuracy and reliability for measuring curandin concentration. Therefore, this disclosure provides a more efficient method for removing curandin and other furanoflavonoids from pongamia seeds and seed cakes. This disclosure includes a method for preparing pongamia compositions having a low curandin concentration, as described below. More specifically, this disclosure provides a method for preparing pongamia compositions containing curandin and having a curandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0059] In one embodiment, a method for preparing a pongamia composition having a low carandin concentration, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis described above, is provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing a pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis described above, is provided herein. In other embodiments, a method for preparing a pongamia composition having less than 20% carandin, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis described above, compared to the first or initial pongamia composition obtained herein, is provided herein.

[0060] In one embodiment, the foregoing provides a method for preparing a pongamia composition, the method comprising mixing a first pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent to provide an extract mixture, and separating the extract mixture to provide micelles and a second pongamia composition, wherein the second pongamia composition has (i) a calandin concentration of less than 20% of the calandin concentration in the first pongamia composition, or (ii) a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0061] Referring to Figure 2, process 200 is an exemplary process for preparing a pongamia composition. In step 202, a first pongamia composition is prepared. The first pongamia composition is mixed with an alkyl alkanoate solvent in step 204, thereby preparing an extract mixture. The extract mixture is separated in step 206 to produce a second pongamia composition and micelles.

[0062] In other variations, it should be understood that process 200 may include additional processing steps. In yet another variation, certain steps of process 200 may be omitted.

[0063] In one modification, a method for preparing a pongamia composition is provided, comprising: preparing a first pongamia composition; mixing the first pongamia composition with a solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate to prepare an extract mixture; and separating the extract mixture into micellar and a second pongamia composition. In a particular modification, the second pongamia composition has (i) a calandin concentration of less than 20% of the calandin concentration in the first pongamia composition, or (ii) a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first pongamia composition was obtained from plant materials derived from the pongamia tree or plant (also known as "Cytisus pinnatus", "Dalbergia arborea", "Derris indica", "Galedupa pungum", "Karanj", "Millettia pinnata", "pongam", "pongamia", "pongamia glabra", "Pterocarpus flavus", "pongamia pinnata", and "Robinia mitis", "Indian beech", and "mempari").

[0065] In some embodiments, the first pongamia composition is a cake of defatted pongamia seeds. The conditions of the above treatment can be described by obtaining the cake of defatted pongamia seeds. For example, in some embodiments, the first pongamia composition is a cake of defatted pongamia seeds, which is obtained by mechanical extraction. In other embodiments, the first pongamia composition is a cake of defatted pongamia seeds obtained by mechanical extraction of pongamia seeds or a cake of pongamia seeds. In certain embodiments, the cake of defatted pongamia seeds is obtained by mechanical extraction using the pressing of a continuous press. It should be noted that one or more iterations of mechanical extraction may be applied to either the pongamia seeds and / or the cake of seeds to provide a cake of defatted pongamia seeds as the first pongamia composition. In some embodiments, the first pongamia composition is neither pongamia oilseed nor oilseed. In other embodiments, the first pongamia composition is not a cake of defatted pongamia seeds obtained by solvent extraction.

[0066] The first pongamia composition may be further defined by other attributes, such as its curandin concentration, oil content, water content, and particle size distribution. These attributes may be particularly advantageous for the extraction of curandin and pongamol from the first pongamia composition. For example, in some embodiments, the first pongamia composition has a curandin concentration of at least 200 ppm. In other embodiments, the first pongamia composition has a curandin concentration of at least 500 ppm. In some embodiments, the first pongamia composition contains 8 to 40% by weight of oil, 10 to 35% by weight of oil, or 8 to 30% by weight of oil. In certain embodiments, the first pongamia composition contains 8 to 30% by weight of oil.

[0067] In some embodiments of the method described above, preparing the first pongamia composition may further include any steps for producing the first pongamia composition. For example, in some embodiments, the method includes preparing pongamia oilseeds and subjecting the pongamia oilseeds to mechanical extraction to prepare a defatted pongamia seed cake as the first pongamia composition. In certain embodiments, the method includes mechanically pressing the pongamia oilseeds to prepare a defatted pongamia seed cake as the first pongamia composition. In other embodiments, the method may include preparing a defatted seed cake and subjecting the defatted pongamia seed cake to mechanical extraction to prepare a first pongamia composition having a desired oil content and / or carandin concentration. In yet another embodiment, the method may include preparing a first pongamia composition as described herein and further minimizing the oil content of the first pongamia composition. In yet another embodiment, the method may include preparing a cake of de-oiled pongamia seeds and further breaking down the cake of de-oiled pongamia seeds to prepare a first pongamia composition having a desired particle size distribution.

[0068] In some embodiments of the methods described above, the first Pongamia composition can be mixed with any of the solvents described for use in the analytical method. For example, in some variations, the solvent is an alkyl alkanoate solvent. In certain variations, the alkyl alkanoate solvent may consist only of alkyl alkanoates, or it may instead consist of one or more additional cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In certain embodiments, the solvent consists of at least one alkyl alkanoate and one or more additional cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In other embodiments, the solvent contains at least one alkyl alkanoate but does not contain any cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. In certain embodiments, the solvent is an alkyl alkanoate.

[0069] In some embodiments, the alkyl of the alkyl alkanoate is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl. In other embodiments, the solvent includes methyl alkanoate, ethyl alkanoate, propyl alkanoate, or butyl alkanoate, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes ethyl alkanoate. In some embodiments, the alkanoic acid of the alkyl alkanoate is methaneic acid, ethaneic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, or pentanoic acid. In other embodiments, the solvent includes alkyl methaneate, alkyl ethaneate, alkyl propanoate, alkyl butanoate, alkyl pentanoate, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes alkyl ethaneate. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes ethyl acetate. In other embodiments, the solvent is ethyl acetate.

[0070] In some embodiments, the solvent includes an alkyl alkanoate solvent selected from the group consisting of methyl methaneate, methyl ethaneate, methyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, methyl pentanoate, ethyl methaneate, ethyl ethaneate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl pentanoate, propyl methaneate, propyl ethaneate, propyl propanoate, propyl butanoate, propyl pentanoate, butyl methaneate, butyl ethaneate, butyl propanoate, butyl butanoate, and butyl pentanoate, as well as any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent includes an alkyl alkanoate solvent selected from the group consisting of methyl ethaneate, methyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, ethyl methaneate, ethyl ethaneate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, propyl methaneate, propyl ethaneate, propyl propanoate, propyl butanoate, butyl methaneate, butyl ethaneate, butyl propanoate, and butyl butanoate, as well as any combination thereof.

[0071] In other embodiments, the method comprises mixing the first Pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent containing at least one alkyl alkanoate of formula (I), [ka] During the ceremony, R 1 It is a C1-C4 alkyl group, R 2 It is hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group.

[0072] In some embodiments, R 1 is a C1-C4 alkyl group. In other embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, R 1 and R 2 is an independent C1-C4 alkyl group. In certain other embodiments, R 1 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, and R 2 It is hydrogen.

[0073] R1 In some embodiments, R is a C1-C4 alkyl group. 1 These are CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, (CH3)2CH-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2(CH3)CH-, (CH3)2CHCH2-, or (CH3)3C-. In certain embodiments, R 1 In other embodiments, R 1 In another embodiment, R 1 It is CH3CH2CH2-.

[0074] In some embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R 2 R is a C1-C4 alkyl group. 2 In a particular embodiment where is a C1-C4 alkyl group, R 2 These are CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, (CH3)2CH-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2(CH3)CH-, (CH3)2CHCH2-, or (CH3)3C-. In certain embodiments, R 2 The molecule is hydrogen, CH3-, CH3CH2-, or CH3CH2CH2-.

[0075] In yet another embodiment, R 1 It is CH3CH2-, and R 2 is CH3-. In some embodiments, R 1 is CH3CH2- or CH3CH2CH2CH2-, and R 2 is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R 1 It is CH3CH2CH2-, and R 2 It is CH3CH2CH2- or CH3CH2CH2CH2-.

[0076] In other embodiments, R 1 is a C1-C3 alkyl group. In another embodiment, R 1 is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl. In certain embodiments, R 1is ethyl. In some embodiments, R 1 is a C2-C4 alkyl group. In a particular embodiment, R 1 is ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl. In other embodiments, R 2 is hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, R 2 is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, or isopropyl. In certain embodiments, R 2 is methyl. In yet another embodiment, R 1 is ethyl, and R 2 is methyl. In yet another embodiment, R 2 R is hydrogen, ethyl, or n-propyl. In further embodiments, R 1 is ethyl, n-propyl, or n-butyl, and R 2 R is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl. In certain embodiments, R 2 is methyl. In yet another embodiment, R 1 is ethyl, and R 2 It is methyl.

[0077] In some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent is prepared in situ. For example, the alkyl alkanoate can be prepared by mixing the corresponding alcohol with the corresponding carboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate of formula (I) is the alcohol R 1 -OH is carboxylic acid R 2 -Prepared in situ by mixing with COOH, where R 1 and R 2The method is as defined above. In certain embodiments where the alkyl alkanoate is ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate is prepared in situ by mixing ethanol with acetic acid. In some embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate is prepared in situ before the alkyl alkanoate solvent is mixed with the first Pongamia composition. In other embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate is prepared in situ using the first Pongamia composition. For example, in some embodiments, the method comprises mixing the first Pongamia composition with a solvent containing ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate being prepared in situ, and the method comprises mixing the first Pongamia composition with ethanol and acetic acid.

[0078] In some variations, the solvent may include one or more cosolvents that are not alkyl alkanoates. However, in some embodiments, the solvent excludes certain cosolvents. For example, in some variations, the alkyl alkanoate solvent does not contain alkanes, ketones, ethers, and / or aromatic hydrocarbons. In certain embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent does not contain hexane, methyl tert-butyl ether, diethyl ether, toluene, benzene, and / or acetone. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl alkanoate solvent does not contain diketones and / or diesters such as succinate esters, sebacate esters, glutarate esters, or malonic acid esters.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first pongamia composition and solvent are mixed to prepare an extract mixture. In certain embodiments, mixing the first pongamia composition and solvent includes mixing the first pongamia composition and solvent in an extractor to prepare an extract mixture. In certain embodiments, the mixing step includes mixing, stirring, or turbulent stirring of the extract mixture in the extractor. In some embodiments, mixing the first pongamia composition and solvent to provide an extract mixture includes heating the first pongamia composition and solvent to prepare an extract mixture. In yet other embodiments, the method further includes heating the extract mixture. It should be noted that the aforementioned methods may include variations of other parameters that may be part of the mixing step, such as the residence time of the extract mixture in the extractor, the extractor temperature and pressure, the chain speed of the extractor, the particle size distribution of the first pongamia composition, the ratio of the first pongamia composition to the alkyl alkanoate solvent, and the supply rate of the pongamia composition and alkyl alkanoate solvent to the extractor.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method may further include irradiating the extraction mixture with microwave radiation. In certain embodiments, the extraction mixture is irradiated with microwave radiation after the mixing step and before the separation step. The disclosure also provides variations of parameters that may be related to the irradiation step, including, for example, the duration, temperature, pressure, and frequency of the microwave radiation to which the extraction mixture is irradiated.

[0081] In some embodiments, the extract mixture is separated into micelles and a second pongamia composition. The micelles mainly contain the liquid fraction of the extract mixture (oil, alkyl alkanoate solvent, and any soluble compound), while the second pongamia composition consists mostly of residual insoluble solid matter or meal remaining from the first pongamia composition. The step of separating the extract mixture into micelles and the second pongamia composition may include any suitable method known in the art for solid-liquid separation. In certain embodiments, the extract mixture is separated by filtration. In other embodiments, the extract mixture is separated by decantation.

[0082] In some embodiments, the micellar comprises a mixture of extracted oil, carandin, other furanoflavonoids, and an alkyl alkanoate solvent (including alkyl alkanoate and any cosolvent). In other embodiments, the micellar has a carandin concentration of 4000 ppm or more. In certain embodiments, the micellar has a carandin concentration of 4000 ppm or more, as measured by the method described above. In certain embodiments, the micellar can be characterized by oil content, water content, moisture content, solids content, or other properties known in the art.

[0083] In some embodiments, the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In other embodiments, the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of less than 20% of the carandin concentration in the first pongamia composition. In yet another embodiment, the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method described herein. In yet another embodiment, the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of less than 20% of the carandin concentration in the first pongamia composition, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method described herein.

[0084] Thanks to the preparation methods described herein, it should be recognized that the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In some embodiments, the second pongamia composition may have a concentration, or quantity, of carandin and / or pongamol on the order of parts per million. In some embodiments, the second pongamia composition may have a concentration of carandin and / or pongamol less than 100 ppm that is undetectable by conventional hexane and methanol-based analytical methods. In further embodiments, the second pongamia composition may have trace concentrations of carandin and / or pongamol on the order of parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt). In situations where trace concentrations are present, the detection of carandin and pongamol by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analytical method described herein may be limited by the detection limits of the liquid chromatography technique and the materials used. In some embodiments, trace amounts of calandin and / or pongamol may be undetectable by the alkyl alkanoate-based microwave-assisted solvent extraction analysis method described herein.

[0085] As described above, the first pongamia composition can be obtained from plant materials derived from the pongamia tree or plant. Therefore, in some embodiments, the second pongamia composition obtained from the first pongamia composition by the method described herein can be derived from the pongamia tree or plant ("Cytisus pinnatus", "Dalbergia arborea", "Derris indica", "Galedupa pungum", "karanj", "Millettia pinnata", "pongam", "pongamia", "Pongamia glabra", "Pterocarpus" It can be characterized as being obtained from plant materials derived from "flavus," "Pongamia pinnata," "Robinia mitis," "Indian beech," and "mempari."

[0086] As further described above, the second pongamia composition largely consists of residual insoluble solids or meal remaining from the first pongamia composition following extraction in an alkyl alkanoate solvent and solid-liquid separation to remove micelles. In some embodiments, the second pongamia composition is meal. The resulting second pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as described herein, may further contain any number of components originally present in the first pongamia composition, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones. For example, in some embodiments in which the second pongamia composition contains protein, the second pongamia composition contains at least 30% protein by dry weight. In certain embodiments, the second pongamia composition contains 30-50% or 30-40% protein by dry weight. In other embodiments in which the second pongamia composition contains carbohydrates, the second pongamia composition contains at least 40% carbohydrates by dry weight. In certain embodiments, the second pongamia composition contains 40-70% carbohydrates, 50-70% carbohydrates, or 50-60% carbohydrates by dry weight.

[0087] Further components may be present in the second pongamia composition in weight percentage of the total composition, reflecting the non-destructive methods applied to the first pongamia composition. That is, the method of this disclosure may be particularly suitable for removing calandin and pongamol while maintaining or preserving levels of nutritional components such as carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, or any combination thereof, compared to the levels present in the first pongamia composition from which a pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less is obtained. In further embodiments, the method described herein may result in a significant increase in the concentration of these further components thanks to the removal of residual oil during extraction with an alkyl alkanoate solvent and the resulting reduction in the total weight of the second pongamia composition.

[0088] In some embodiments, the second pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, and any combination thereof, in a mass proportion of the second pongamia composition that is at least 90% by mass of the corresponding component present in the first pongamia composition. In certain embodiments, the second pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, and any combination thereof, in a mass proportion of the second pongamia composition that is 90 to 125% by mass of the corresponding component present in the first pongamia composition.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second Pongamia composition contains carbohydrates in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is 90-125% of the mass proportion of carbohydrates present in the first Pongamia composition. In other embodiments, the second Pongamia composition contains protein in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is 90-125% of the mass proportion of protein present in the first Pongamia composition. In yet another embodiment, the second Pongamia composition contains fiber in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is 90-150% of the mass proportion of fiber present in the first Pongamia composition. In yet another embodiment, the second Pongamia composition contains ash in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is 90-125% of the mass proportion of ash present in the first Pongamia composition.

[0090] In certain embodiments, the concentrations of other components in the second Pongamia composition may be slightly lower compared to the first Pongamia composition. In some embodiments, the second Pongamia composition contains a trypsin inhibitor in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is 60-90% of the mass proportion of the trypsin inhibitor present in the first Pongamia composition. In other embodiments, the second Pongamia composition contains chalcones and / or other furanoflavonoids in a mass proportion of the second Pongamia composition that is less than 100% of the mass proportion of chalcones and / or other furanoflavonoids present in the first Pongamia composition.

[0091] In further embodiments, the total protein content of the Pongamia composition may be further characterized by an amino acid profile. The amino acid profile may include characterization of the Pongamia composition based on the amount of individual amino acids present, the amount of various combinations of different amino acids present, or the total amount of amino acids present. In some embodiments, the second Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of at least 20% by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the second Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of 20-30% by weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the second Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content that is at least 90% of the total amino acid content present in the first Pongamia composition. In certain embodiments, the second Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content that is 90-125% by mass of the total amino acid content present in the first Pongamia composition.

[0092] It should be recognized that, due to the nature of the extraction method described herein, which involves mixing the first Pongamia composition with a solvent, the second Pongamia composition may contain residual levels of the solvent. For example, the second Pongamia composition may contain residual levels of specific alkyl alkanoates and any cosolvents in the alkyl alkanoate solvent used, even after the micellar has been separated from the second Pongamia composition. Therefore, in some embodiments, the second Pongamia composition contains an alkyl alkanoate solvent. In certain embodiments, the second Pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of less than 100,000 ppm. In other embodiments, where the alkyl alkanoate solvent combined with the first Pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate, the second Pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate. In certain embodiments, where the Pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate, the Pongamia composition has an ethyl acetate concentration of less than 100,000 ppm.

[0093] The method of the present disclosure may further include a dry heating or toasting step for desolvation, i.e., for reducing the level of residual alkyl alkanoate solvent in the second pongamia composition. Thus, in some embodiments, the method further includes toasting the second pongamia composition to prepare a toasted pongamia composition. In some embodiments, after toasting the second pongamia composition, the toasted pongamia composition contains the alkyl alkanoate solvent and has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of 5,000 ppm or less. In certain embodiments, the toasted pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, 0 ppm to 1,000 ppm, 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm, or 3,000 ppm to 5,000 ppm. In yet another embodiment, the alkyl alkanoate solvent mixed with the first pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate and the second pongamia composition is toasted. The calcined pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate and has an ethyl acetate concentration of 5,000 ppm or less. In certain embodiments, the calcined pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate. The calcined pongamia composition has an ethyl acetate concentration of 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, 0 ppm to 1,000 ppm, 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm, or 3,000 ppm to 5,000 ppm.

[0094] [Pongamia composition] As described above, pongamia compositions having low concentrations of carandin and other antinutrients are desirable for downstream use. However, prior to the development of the above-described methods for analyzing pongamia compositions, it was difficult to accurately and consistently assess the residual carandin concentration in treated pongamia compositions, and therefore, similarly, it was difficult to achieve the preparation of pongamia compositions having low carandin concentrations. The microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method of this disclosure has enabled the preparation and verification of pongamia compositions having low carandin concentrations. The present invention provides pongamia compositions having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. Also disclosed herein are pongamia compositions having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as prepared by the method described herein and / or measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method described herein.

[0095] In one embodiment, this specification provides a pongamia composition comprising carandin, wherein the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, 90 ppm or less, 80 ppm or less, 70 ppm or less, 60 ppm or less, 50 ppm or less, 40 ppm or less, 30 ppm or less, 20 ppm or less, or 10 ppm or less. In a particular embodiment, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0096] In another embodiment, this specification provides a pongamia composition comprising pongamol, wherein the pongamia composition has a pongamol concentration of 100 ppm or less, 90 ppm or less, 80 ppm or less, 70 ppm or less, 60 ppm or less, 50 ppm or less, 40 ppm or less, 30 ppm or less, 20 ppm or less, or 10 ppm or less. In a particular embodiment, the pongamia composition has a pongamol concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0097] In some embodiments, the pongamia composition is obtained from plant materials derived from the pongamia tree or plant (also known as "Cytisus pinnatus", "Dalbergia arborea", "Derris indica", "Galedupa pungum", "karanj", "Millettia pinnata", "pongam", "pongamia", "Pongamia glabra", "Pterocarpus flavus", "Pongamia pinnata", and "Robinia mitis", "Indian beech", and "mempari").

[0098] In some embodiments, the Specified provides pongamia compositions obtained or obtainable by solvent extraction of a defatted pongamia seed cake with an alkyl alkanoate solvent. In some embodiments, pongamia compositions prepared by microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction are provided herein. In certain embodiments, the pongamia composition is prepared by microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction of a defatted pongamia seed cake.

[0099] In another embodiment, a pongamia composition is provided comprising carandin and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones.

[0100] In some embodiments, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In other embodiments, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method described above. In yet another embodiment, a pongamia composition containing carandin is provided herein, wherein the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, and the carandin concentration is measured by treating the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent under microwave irradiation.

[0101] In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises carandin and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones. In other embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises carbohydrates and proteins. In specific embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises tannins and trypsin inhibitors. In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises fiber and ash. In other embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises other furanoflavonoids and chalcones. In specific embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises carbohydrates and fiber. In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition comprises carbohydrates and ash.

[0102] In some embodiments, a pongamia composition having a low calandin concentration may be prepared or obtained by the preparation method described herein. In yet another embodiment, a pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less is a second pongamia composition obtained by the method for preparing a pongamia composition described herein. In some embodiments, the pongamia composition is obtained from a first pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of at least 200 ppm. In other embodiments, the pongamia composition is obtained from a first pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of at least 500 ppm.

[0103] As described above, it should be recognized that Pongamia compositions having a calandin and / or pongamol concentration of 100 ppm or less, as described herein, may also contain, if present, additional components (carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones) in weight percentage of the total composition, reflecting the non-destructive method for preparing the Pongamia compositions described herein. For example, in some embodiments in which the Pongamia composition contains protein, the Pongamia composition contains at least 30% protein by dry weight. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains 30-50% protein or 30-40% protein by dry weight. In other embodiments in which the Pongamia composition contains carbohydrates, the Pongamia composition contains at least 40% carbohydrates by dry weight. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains 40-70% carbohydrates, 50-70% carbohydrates, or 50-60% carbohydrates by dry weight.

[0104] In further embodiments, the total protein content of the Pongamia composition may be further characterized by an amino acid profile. The amino acid profile may include characterization of the Pongamia composition based on the amount of individual amino acids present, the amount of various combinations of different amino acids present, or the total amount of amino acids present. In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of at least 20% by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the Pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of 20-30% by weight of the composition.

[0105] Furthermore, it should be recognized that pongamia compositions having a low calandin concentration, prepared by the alkyl alkanoate-based extraction method described herein, may still contain residual pongamia oil and alkyl alkanoate solvent.

[0106] In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains oil. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains less than 5% oil by dry weight. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains 1% to 5% oil by dry weight.

[0107] In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition further comprises an alkyl alkanoate solvent. In other embodiments, the Pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of 100,000 ppm or less. In yet another embodiment, the Pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of 5,000 ppm or less. In specific embodiments, the Pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, 0 ppm to 1,000 ppm, 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm, or 3,000 ppm to 5,000 ppm.

[0108] In some embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains an alkyl alkanoate solvent, and the alkyl alkanoate solvent contains ethyl acetate. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate, and the Pongamia composition has an ethyl acetate concentration of 100,000 ppm or less. In yet other embodiments, the Pongamia composition has an ethyl acetate concentration of 5,000 ppm or less. In certain embodiments, the Pongamia composition contains ethyl acetate, and the Pongamia composition has an ethyl acetate concentration of 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, 0 ppm to 1,000 ppm, 1,000 ppm to 3,000 ppm, or 3,000 ppm to 5,000 ppm.

[0109] As described herein, methods for preparing pongamia compositions may result in pongamia compositions having extremely low concentrations of calandin and / or pongamol. In some embodiments, pongamia compositions have calandin and / or pongamol concentrations, or quantities, in the order of parts per million. In some embodiments, pongamia compositions may have calandin and / or pongamol concentrations of less than 100 ppm. These concentrations are undetectable by conventional hexane and methanol-based analytical methods. In further embodiments, pongamia compositions may have trace concentrations of calandin and / or pongamol in the order of parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt). In some embodiments, pongamia compositions described herein may contain trace amounts of calandin and / or pongamol that are undetectable by the alkyl alkanoate-based microwave-assisted solvent extraction analytical methods described herein.

[0110] Accordingly, in some embodiments in which the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration that is undetectable by the alkyl alkanoate-based microwave-assisted solvent extraction analysis method described herein, the pongamia composition may be characterized by other components present in the composition, including carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, chalcones, alkyl alkanoate solvents, or amino acid content, or any combination thereof.

[0111] In some embodiments, a pongamia composition is provided comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, wherein the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In the particular embodiments described above, the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration that is undetectable, as measured by the microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis method described herein. In some embodiments, the pongamia composition comprises (i) 30-50% protein by dry weight; (ii) 40-70% carbohydrates; (iii) 20-30% by weight total amino acid content; or any combination thereof.

[0112] [Use of Pongamia composition] A pongamia composition having the low concentrations of carandin and pongamol described above, prepared by the method described above, may be particularly useful as a nutritional supplement or main feed in ruminant feed compositions such as bovine feed compositions. The non-destructive method for preparing the pongamia composition described herein results in the successful removal of the anti-nutrient components carandin and pongamol without reducing the amounts of other components, including macronutrients (e.g., proteins and carbohydrates) that are crucial for achieving acceptable feed conversion efficiency. The pongamia composition may be used alone or in combination with a non-pongamia-derived base feed in ruminant feed compositions to provide a compound ruminant feed composition.

[0113] As described herein, the term “ruminant” should be understood to include any wild or domesticated hoofed mammal having a multi-chambered stomach (including the rumen) adapted for the digestion of plant matter. Suitable ruminants may include, but are not limited to, cattle, yaks, buffalo, goats, sheep, deer, gazelles, and antelopes. In certain embodiments, cattle are beef cattle.

[0114] In one embodiment, the Specified Reference Intake provides a ruminant feed composition comprising a pongamia composition having the low curandin concentration described above. In some embodiments, the ruminant feed composition comprises a pongamia composition having a curandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In other embodiments, the ruminant feed composition comprises a base feed and a pongamia composition, the pongamia composition having a curandin concentration of less than 100 ppm as described herein.

[0115] In some embodiments, a bovine feed composition is provided herein that comprises a pongamia composition having the low curandin concentration described above. In some embodiments, the bovine feed composition comprises a pongamia composition having a curandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In other embodiments, the bovine feed composition comprises a base feed and a pongamia composition, the pongamia composition having a curandin concentration of less than 100 ppm as described herein.

[0116] In some embodiments, the Specified provides ruminant feed compositions (e.g., including cattle feed compositions) comprising any of the pongamia compositions described herein. In one embodiment, the Specified provides ruminant feed compositions (e.g., including cattle feed compositions) comprising a base feed and any of the pongamia compositions described herein.

[0117] In some of the modifications described above, the Pongamia composition comprises calandin and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, and the Pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In other modifications, the Pongamia composition comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, and the Pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less.

[0118] Thanks to their low concentrations of carandin, the pongamia compositions described herein can be used in ruminant feed compositions, such as bovine feed compositions, in larger quantities than previously used and with fewer anti-nutritional or long-term pathological effects than previously observed. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the ruminant feed composition or bovine feed composition comprises at least 30% by weight or at least 40% by weight of the pongamia composition, and the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. In some embodiments, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, and the carandin concentration is measured by treating the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent under microwave irradiation. In other embodiments, the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, and the carandin concentration is measured by microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis.

[0119] In some embodiments, the ruminant feed composition (e.g., including a bovine feed composition) includes a base feed. Suitable base feeds for the ruminant feed compositions described herein may be any non-pongamia-derived feed material known in the art as fodder or livestock feed, including, for example, hay, straw, stored fresh pasture, grains, legumes, food scraps, and by-products of food processing. In certain embodiments, the base feed may include one or more feeds selected from the group consisting of wheat feed, corn feed, barley feed, oat feed, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, safflower seed meal, sunflower seed meal, peanut meal, groundnut meal, and hay. In certain embodiments, the base feed includes wheat feed, corn feed, soybean meal, or any combination thereof. Thanks to the low concentration of curandin in the pongamia compositions described herein, the pongamia compositions can be combined with a base feed to produce a ruminant feed composition containing a large proportion of pongamia-derived feed. Thus, the amount of base feed in the animal compositions of this disclosure can be reduced. In other embodiments, the ruminant feed composition (e.g., including a bovine feed composition) contains less than 60% by weight or less than 70% by weight of base feed.

[0120] It should be recognized that the ruminant feed compositions described herein (including, for example, cattle feed compositions) may include further feed additives known in the art, such as antibiotics and other veterinary drugs, growth hormones, vitamins, minerals or nutritional supplements, palatability enhancers, and processing additives.

[0121] In yet another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method for feeding ruminants such as cattle, comprising providing ruminants with a pongamia composition or ruminant feed composition as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method for feeding ruminants, comprising providing ruminants with a pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as measured by microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis. In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method for feeding ruminants, comprising providing ruminants with a cattle feed composition, wherein the ruminant feed composition comprises a pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, and the carandin concentration is measured by treating the pongamia composition with any of the alkyl alkanoate solvents described herein under microwave irradiation.

[0122] In some embodiments, the ruminant is a cattle. In certain embodiments, the cattle is a beef cattle. In certain modifications, the disclosure provides a method of feeding cattle, comprising providing the cattle with a pongamia composition or ruminant feed composition as described herein. In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of feeding cattle, comprising providing the cattle with a pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, as measured by microwave-assisted alkyl alkanoate solvent extraction analysis. In other embodiments, a method of feeding cattle with a cattle feed composition is provided herein, comprising providing the cattle with a cattle feed composition, the cattle feed composition comprising a pongamia composition having a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, the carandin concentration being measured by treating the pongamia composition with any alkyl alkanoate solvent described herein under microwave irradiation.

[0123] With regard to the methods of feeding ruminants or cattle described herein, ruminant feed compositions (e.g., including cattle feed compositions) may be provided in various forms suitable for ruminants or cattle. In some embodiments, the ruminant feed composition is provided as powdered meal, pellet feed, liquid feed, or mash feed. For example, in some embodiments, the ruminant feed composition may be provided as powdered meal or pellet feed.

[0124] In particular, the non-destructive processing methods described herein not only provide pongamia compositions having low levels of antinutrients such as carandin and pongamol, but also preserve or maintain the necrotic substances present in the initial pongamia composition from which a pongamia composition having equivalent levels of nutrients and a reduced carandin concentration is obtained. Therefore, it should also be recognized that pongamia compositions prepared by the methods described herein may also have specific levels of nutrients or necrotic substances (ash, moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins) that are particularly suitable for the nutritional requirements of ruminants (e.g., cattle) being fed, especially with respect to feed conversion efficiency.

[0125] In other embodiments, a container containing the Pongamia composition described herein, or a manufactured article such as a feed containing the Pongamia composition described herein, and a label including instructions for use of such Pongamia composition or feed are provided.

[0126] In yet another embodiment, a kit comprising the Pongamia composition described herein, or a feed comprising the Pongamia composition described herein, and accompanying documentation comprising instructions for the use of such Pongamia composition or feed are provided.

[0127] [Listed embodiments] The embodiments listed below represent several aspects of the present invention. (1) Prepare an extraction mixture by mixing the Pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent, The extraction mixture is irradiated with microwave radiation to prepare an irradiated mixture, A method comprising separating the irradiated mixture into an extracted pongamia composition and an alkyl alkanoate extract, and measuring the calandin concentration in the alkyl alkanoate extract. (2) The method according to embodiment (1), wherein the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises an alkyl alkanoate selected from the group consisting of methyl methaneate, methyl ethaneate, methyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, methyl pentanoate, ethyl methaneate, ethyl ethaneate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl pentanoate, propyl methaneate, propyl ethaneate, propyl propanoate, propyl butanoate, propyl pentanoate, butyl methaneate, butyl ethaneate, butyl propanoate, butyl butanoate, and butyl pentanoate, and any combination thereof. (3) The method according to embodiment (1) or (2), wherein the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises ethyl acetate. (4) The method according to Embodiments (1) to (3), wherein the Pongamia composition is a cake of de-oiled Pongamia seeds. (5) The method according to any one of embodiments (1) to (4), wherein the pongamia composition is obtained by mechanical extraction, solvent extraction, or a combination thereof. (6) The method according to any one of embodiments (1) to (5), wherein measuring the concentration of the carandin in the alkyl alkanoate extract includes measuring the concentration of the carandin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). (7) Prepare the first Pongamia composition, The extraction mixture is prepared by mixing the first pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent, The extracted mixture is separated into micellar and a second pongamia composition. The method wherein the second pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of less than 20% of the calandin concentration in the first pongamia composition, or (ii) a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. (8) The method according to Embodiment 7, wherein the second pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 100 ppm or less when measured by the method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5. (9) The method according to embodiment (7) or (8), wherein the first pongamia composition is a cake of de-oiled pongamia seeds. (10) The method according to embodiment (9), wherein the first pongamia composition is a cake of defatted pongamia seeds obtained by mechanical extraction. (11) The method according to embodiment (9) or (10), wherein the first pongamia composition is not a cake of de-oiled pongamia seeds obtained by solvent extraction. (12) The method according to any one of embodiments (7) to (11), wherein the first pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of at least 200 ppm. (13) The method according to embodiments (7) to (12), wherein the first Pongamia composition contains 8 to 30% by weight of oil. (14) The method according to any one of embodiments (7) to (13), wherein the micellar has a calandin concentration of about 4,000 ppm or more. (15) The method according to any one of embodiments (7) to (14), wherein the second pongamia composition has a concentration of pongamol of 100 ppm or less. (16) The method according to any one of embodiments (7) to (15), wherein the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises ethyl acetate. (17) The method according to any one of embodiments (7) to (16), further comprising irradiating the extraction mixture with microwave radiation. (18) The Pongamia composition Karandin and, It comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, Here, the Pongamia composition is a Pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. (19) The pongamia composition according to embodiment (18), wherein the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less when measured by any one of the methods of embodiments (1) to (6). (20) The pongamia composition according to embodiment (18) or (19), wherein the pongamia composition further comprises pongamol. (21) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (20), wherein the pongamia composition has a concentration of pongamol of 100 ppm or less. (22) A pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (21), further comprising an alkyl alkanoate solvent. (23) The pongamia composition according to embodiment (22), wherein the pongamia composition has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of less than 100,000 ppm. (24) The pongamia composition according to embodiment (22) or (23), wherein the meal of the pongamia seeds has an alkyl alkanoate solvent concentration of less than 5,000 ppm. (25) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (22) to (24), wherein the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises ethyl acetate. (26) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (25), wherein the pongamia composition contains less than 5% oil by dry weight. (27) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (26), wherein the pongamia composition contains 1% to 5% oil by dry weight. (28) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (27), wherein the pongamia composition contains at least 30% protein by dry weight. (29) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (28), wherein the pongamia composition contains 30-40% protein by dry weight. (30) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (29), wherein the pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of at least 20% by weight. (31) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (30), wherein the pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of 20 to 30% by weight. (32) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (31), wherein the pongamia composition contains at least 40% by weight of carbohydrates. (33) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (32), wherein the pongamia composition has a total amino acid content of 50 to 70% by weight of carbohydrates. (34) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (33), wherein the pongamia composition is obtained from a first pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of at least 200 ppm. (35) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (34), wherein the pongamia composition is obtained from solvent extraction of a cake of pongamia seeds deoiled with an alkyl alkanoate solvent. (36) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (35), wherein the pongamia composition is obtained by solvent extraction of a cake of pongamia seeds deoiled with an alkyl alkanoate solvent and microwave irradiation. (37) A pongamia composition obtained or that can be obtained by the method of any one of embodiments (1) to (17). (38) The Pongamia composition It contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones. Here, the Pongamia composition is a Pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. (39) Pongamia composition, It contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones. Here, the Pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, Here, the Pongamia composition is a Pongamia composition having a Pongamol concentration of 100 ppm or less. (40) The Pongamia composition Carandin, or pongamol, or a mixture of carandin and pongamol, It comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, Here, if calandin is present, the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. Here, if pongamol is present, the pongamia composition has a pongamol concentration of 100 ppm or less. (41) The Pongamia composition is Karandin and, It comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, other furanoflavonoids, and chalcones, Herein, the pongamia composition has a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less, and the calandin concentration is measured by treating the pongamia composition with an alkyl alkanoate solvent under microwave irradiation. (42) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (41), wherein the pongamia composition is obtained from a plant material derived from the pongamia tree or plant. (43) The pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (42), wherein the pongamia composition is meal. (44) The feed composition is A Pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (43), A feed composition comprising a base cattle feed. (45) The feed composition is A Pongamia composition according to any one of Embodiments 18 to 43, A feed composition comprising a base feed and (46) The feed composition according to embodiment (44) or (45), wherein the feed composition comprises at least 30% by weight or at least 40% by weight of the pongamia composition. (47) The feed composition according to any one of embodiments (44) to (46), wherein the feed composition comprises less than 60% by weight or less than 70% by weight of base feed. (48) The feed composition according to any one of embodiments (44) to (47), wherein the feed composition is a pelletized feed. (49) A method of feeding a ruminant, comprising providing the ruminant with a pongamia composition according to any one of embodiments (18) to (43) or a feed composition according to any one of embodiments (44) to (48). (50) The method according to embodiment (49), wherein the ruminant is selected from the group consisting of cattle, yaks, buffalo, goats, sheep, deer, gazelles, and antelopes. (51) The method according to embodiment (50), wherein the ruminant is a cattle.

[0128] [Examples] The subject matter of this disclosure will be better understood by referring to the following examples, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention and not as limitations.

[0129] [Example A: Analytical Method] <Example A1: Comparative method for methanol-based extracts> The following example describes an experiment comparing the extraction of curandin and pongamol from pongamia seed cake using methanol as the solvent.

[0130] (Homogeneous extraction of carandin and pongamol) A 0.5 g cake of Pongamia seeds was placed in a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube containing 5 mL of methanol to a final ratio of 10:1 (solvent:solid). The sample was then placed in a plant / tissue homogenizer and shaken at 1500 rpm for 2 minutes. Next, the sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes to separate the solvent from the solid, and the supernatant was poured into a clean 50 mL polypropylene tube. The extraction process was repeated five times to improve the extraction of calandin and pongamol.

[0131] (Homogeneous extraction by NaOH immersion) Prior to homogenization extraction, a 0.5 g cake of Pongamia seeds was placed in a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube containing 1 mL of 2% NaOH. The mixture was then incubated for 24 hours. After incubation, 10 mL of water was added, and the tube was placed on a mechanical shaker and shaken at high speed for 10 minutes. The tube was then centrifuged at 3000 rpm to pelletize the solid material. The water was reserved for analysis, and the washing process was repeated to ensure the removal of NaOH. After incubation with NaOH, the sample was extracted with methanol as described above.

[0132] (Homogeneous extraction by methanol immersion) Prior to homogenization extraction, a 0.5 g cake of Pongamia seeds was placed in a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube containing 25 mL of methanol to a final ratio of 50:1 (solvent:solid). The mixture was then incubated at room temperature for 24, 48, 72, or 96 hours. After incubation, the sample was placed in a plant / tissue homogenizer and shaken at 1500 rpm for 2 minutes. After homogenization, the sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes to separate the solvent from the solid, and the supernatant was poured into a clean 50 mL polypropylene tube. Homogenization was repeated 5 times to improve the extraction of calandin and pongamol.

[0133] (Homogenization extraction by filtration) A 0.5 g cake of Pongamia seeds was placed in a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube containing 25 mL of methanol to a final ratio of 50:1 (solvent:solid). The sample was then placed in a plant / tissue homogenizer and shaken at 1500 rpm for 2 minutes. The sample was then filtered to separate the solid from the methanol. The extraction process was repeated five times to improve the extraction of calandin and pongamol.

[0134] (Soxhlet extract of carandin and pongamol) A 0.5 g cake of Pongamia seeds was placed in an extraction thimble containing 125 mL of methanol. The extraction was allowed to proceed for 24 or 48 hours, at which point the Soxhlet extract was transferred to a clean polypropylene tube.

[0135] (HPLC standard solution) Commercially available calandin and pongamol were mixed with methanol to produce the following HPLC standards: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 20.0 μg / mL.

[0136] (HPLC equipment) HPLC analysis was performed using a mobile phase consisting of solvent A (0.1% formic acid in HPLC water) and solvent B (0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile). The injection volume was 2 μL and the flow rate was 0.75 mL / min. A C18 5 μm, 50 × 2 mm HPLC column was used. All HPLC analyses were performed in anion mode. MS parameters were: curtain gas 30 psi, impactor gas 4 psi, nebulizer gas (GS1) 50 psi, dry gas (GS2) 50 psi, ion spray voltage 5000, temperature 500 °C, declustering potential (DP) 51 V, entrance potential 10 V, and impactor energy (CE) of 60 eV for carandine and 30 eV for pongamol.

[0137] (MS / MS quantification of calandin and pongamol in the extract) Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion transitions were monitored for both calandin and pongamol. The levels of calandin and pongamol present in the extracted samples were calculated using Analyst version 1.6.3. Briefly, the parts per million (FPM) of calandin and pongamol were determined by comparing the peak areas of calandin and pongamol in the extracted samples with the peak areas of the calibration standard.

[0138] (Methanol extraction of curandin and pongamol from pongamia seed cake) Table 1 shows the levels of curandin and pongamol that could be extracted from pongamia seed cakes (Figures 3A and 3B) under homogenized extraction using methanol (solvent:solid ratio of 10:1) as the extraction solvent. The amounts of curandin and pongamol obtained from each of the five consecutive extractions were added together to obtain the measured values ​​of total extracted curandin and total extracted pongamol, respectively, as shown in Table 1.

[0139] [Table 1] (Evaluation of the effect of 24-hour NaOH immersion on the extraction of calandin and pongamol) The amounts of curandin and pongamol obtained from each of the five consecutive extractions were aggregated and added together to obtain the measured total amounts of extracted curandin and pongamol, respectively, as shown in Table 2. Table 2 shows that when the pongamia seed cake was treated with NaOH before methanol homogenization extraction (solvent:solid ratio of 10:1), the total levels of extracted and residual curandin and pongamol were reduced compared to the untreated extraction (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0140] [Table 2] (Measurement of the concentrations of calandin and pongamol in NaOH washing water) Table 3 shows that calandin and pongamol leached into the wash water after NaOH immersion. However, the levels of calandin and pongamol in the wash water were not sufficient to explain the decrease in the levels of calandin and pongamol isolated after NaOH treatment.

[0141] [Table 3] (Evaluation of the effect of methanol immersion in curandin extraction) The amounts of curandin and pongamol obtained from each of the five consecutive extractions were aggregated and added together to obtain the measured total amounts of extracted curandin and pongamol, respectively, as shown in Table 4. Table 4 shows that immersion of the pongamia seed cake in methanol for any duration before extraction reduced the recovery rate of curandin compared to extraction without methanol immersion (solvent:solid ratio of 50:1) (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0142] [Table 4] (Evaluation of the recovery rates of calandin and pongamol when filtration is used rather than centrifugation after methanol homogenization extraction) The amounts of curandin and pongamol obtained from each of the five consecutive extractions (solvent:solid ratio of 50:1) were aggregated and added to obtain the measured amounts of total extracted curandin and total extracted pongamol, respectively, as shown in Table 5. Table 5 demonstrates that methanol homogenization extraction by filtration can recover similar levels of curandin and pongamol from the pongamia seed cake compared to methanol homogenization extraction by centrifugation (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0143] [Table 5] (Soxhlet extract of carandin and pongamol) Table 6 shows a comparison between methanol homogenization extraction (solvent:solid ratio of 50:1) and methanol Soxhlet extraction. The total amount of calandin and pongamol extracted by methanol homogenization is the sum of calandin and pongamol obtained from each of five consecutive extractions, while the total amount of calandin and pongamol extracted by Soxhlet is the amount obtained from a single Soxhlet experiment over the indicated time. The values ​​measured for 24-hour and 48-hour methanol Soxhlet extractions were averaged from two separate experiments, respectively. Table 6 shows that 24-hour and 48-hour methanol Soxhlet extractions isolated more calandin and pongamol than methanol homogenization extraction techniques (Figures 3A and 3B).

[0144] [Table 6] <Example A2: Solvent Dependence of Extraction Method> The following examples describe experimental efforts to evaluate the ability of various solvents to extract curandin and pongamol from pongamia seed cakes.

[0145] (Homogeneous extraction of carandin and pongamol) In this example, homogenization extraction was performed in the same manner as in Example A1. However, the solvents tested included ethanol, hexane, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), toluene, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and acetone, all with a solvent-to-solid ratio of 50:1. Finally, experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of homogenization time in ethyl acetate solvent extraction, comparing homogenization at 10 minutes (2 minutes / cycle, 5 cycles) and 50 minutes (10 minutes / cycle, 5 cycles).

[0146] (Soxhlet extract of carandin and pongamol) In this example, Soxhlet extraction was performed in the same manner as in Example A1. However, the solvents tested were methanol, MTBE, and ethyl acetate. Furthermore, the reaction times tested with ethyl acetate included 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 ​​hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours.

[0147] (Evaluation of calandin and pongamol extraction efficiency in different solvents using homogenized extraction) The amounts of calandin and pongamol obtained from each of the five consecutive extractions were aggregated and added together to obtain the measured amounts of total extracted calandin and total extracted pongamol, respectively, as shown in Table 7. Table 7 shows that ethyl acetate extracted more calandin and pongamol than the other solvents tested using homogenization techniques (Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B).

[0148] [Table 7] (Evaluation of the effect of extending the homogenization time in calandin and pongamol extraction with ethyl acetate) Table 8 shows a comparison of homogenization extraction using ethyl acetate as the solvent for a total of 10 minutes and homogenization extraction using ethyl acetate as the solvent for a total of 50 minutes. Table 8 demonstrates that increasing the total homogenization time from 10 minutes to 50 minutes reduces the efficiency of ethyl acetate extraction of calandin and pongamol (Figures 4A and 4B).

[0149] [Table 8] (Evaluation of the extraction efficiency of calandin and pongamol in different solvents using Soxhlet extraction) Table 9 shows the total calandin and total pongamol extracted from a single Soxhlet experiment at different time intervals using various solvents. Table 9 shows that ethyl acetate extracted more calandin and pongamol than the other solvents tested using Soxhlet extraction techniques (Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B). Furthermore, Table 9 shows that shorter Soxhlet extraction times were more efficient for isolating calandin than longer extraction times. However, generally speaking, longer Soxhlet extraction times were more efficient for isolating pongamol than shorter extraction times.

[0150] [Table 9] <Example A3: Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)> The following examples describe experimental efforts to develop ethyl acetate-MAE methods for carandin and pongamol.

[0151] (Preparation of ionic liquid) The ionic liquid was prepared by adding 40.1 g of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and 75 mL of 0.8 N HCl to a glass bottle. The mixture was then vortexed to dissolve the solid.

[0152] (Microwave-assisted extraction of carandin and pongamol) 0.5 g of Pongamia seed cake was added to a microwave extraction tube. Then, 15 mL of either ethyl acetate or ionic liquid was added to the sample tube and mixed by vortex stirring. Next, the sample was extracted using a microwave extractor under the following conditions: 1) tilted to 70°C for 15 minutes, and 2) held at 70°C for 10 minutes. After cooling, the supernatant was filtered under vacuum using filter paper in a Buchner funnel.

[0153] (Efficiency evaluation of ethyl acetate microwaves to aid in the extraction of calandin and pongamol) Table 10 shows that ethyl acetate MAE extracted over 9600 ppm of curandin and over 790 ppm of pongamol from pongamia seed cake (see also Figures 5A and 5B).

[0154] [Table 10] (Summary of seed cake extraction) Table 11 summarizes the calandin and pongamol extraction data detailed in Examples A1 to A3. Figures 6A and 6B show bar graphs of the relative efficiency of each extraction process when the total amount of extracted calandin and pongamol is measured in ppm.

[0155] [Table 11] <Example A4: Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) using alkyl alkanates> The following examples describe experimental efforts to evaluate the ability of various alkyl alkanate solvents to extract calandin and pongamol from pongamia seed cakes under microwave-assisted extraction.

[0156] The pongamia seed cake samples used in Parts I-V below were of the same origin and preparation date as the seed cakes used in Examples A1-A3 above. The pongamia seed cakes had been stored for 18 months (at -20°C) at the start of Example A4.

[0157] The extraction capabilities of various alkyl alkanate solvents for calandin and pongamol under microwave-assisted extraction conditions were evaluated.

[0158] Partially defatted pongamia meal was homogenized using dry ice. The sample was frozen and the dry ice was sublimated. 0.5 g + / - 0.02 g of pongamia meal was placed in separate microwave extraction tubes, and 15.0 mL of each solvent (30:1 solvent:solid (v / w) ratio) was added to the corresponding microwave tube. The microwave tubes were then capped and vortex stirred. Extraction was performed using a MARS6 microwave extractor under the following conditions: 1) tilted to 70°C for 15 minutes, and 2) held at 70°C for 10 minutes. After the supernatant was cooled to room temperature, the extract was filtered under vacuum through Whatman GF / F filter paper in a Buchner funnel, and the extract was poured into a pre-labeled 50 mL centrifuge tube.

[0159] (analysis) All sample extracts were diluted 10-fold and 100-fold for LCMS / MS analysis using LCMS / MS vials or volumetric flasks directly. (10-fold dilution: 100 μL of sample extract was added to 900 μL of suitable solvent and vortexed. 100-fold dilution: 10 μL of sample extract was added to 990 μL of suitable solvent and vortexed.) The parameters for LCMS / MS analysis were the same as those described in Example A1 above.

[0160] (Evaluation of microwave-assisted extraction efficiency of calandin and pongamol using various alkyl alkanate solvents) Table 12 shows the total amounts of calandin and pongamol extracted from pongamia seed cake samples using the listed solvents under microwave-assisted extraction conditions (see also Figures 7A and 7B).

[0161] [Table 12] [Example B: Large-scale extraction method] This embodiment details experimental efforts to scale up the extraction of carandin and pongamol to a commercially viable level.

[0162] <Part I - Mechanical Processing> (Hot extrusion method and continuous press extraction method) Pongamia seed cake samples were subjected separately to hot extrusion ("seed conditioning") and continuous press pressing ("continuous press pressing," one (first) or two (second) presses) to remove oil, curandin, and pongamol from the Pongamia seed cake.

[0163] (Evaluation of the extraction efficiency of carandin and pongamol by mechanical processing) Pongamia seed cake samples were analyzed by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate solvent extraction (according to the protocol of Example A3 above), and the amounts of curandin and pongamol remaining in the treated Pongamia seed cake were measured after seed conditioning and processing by continuous press. Tables 13 and 14 demonstrate that curandin and pongamol can be extracted from Pongamia seed cake on a commercial scale using both mechanical processing methods, seed conditioning and continuous press (Figures 8A and 8B).

[0164] [Table 13] [Table 14] <Part II - Solvent Extraction> (Single-solvent extraction of calandin and pongamol) The pongamia seed cake was introduced into the immersion extractor using a quantitative feeder. The feed rate was adjusted so that the paddle section of each extractor was approximately 50% full. Table 15 shows the specific extraction settings for each solvent.

[0165] [Table 15] (Dual solvent extraction of carandin and pongamol) Following the primary extraction with hexane as detailed above, the pongamia seed cake was collected and introduced into immersion extractors using a quantitative feeder. The feed rate was adjusted so that the paddles in each extractor were approximately 50% full. Table 16 shows the specific extraction settings for each solvent.

[0166] [Table 16] (Evaluation of large-scale solvent extraction of carandin and pongamol) Samples prepared using the combinations of mechanical and solvent extraction methods outlined in Tables 15 and 16 were analyzed by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction (according to the protocol of Example A3 above) to measure the amount of residual calandin and pongamol remaining in the pongamia seed cake after extraction. Table 17A shows that, regardless of the conventional mechanical extraction method, single extraction with ethyl acetate is the most efficient solvent for removing calandin and pongamol from pongamia seed cake (Figures 9A and 9B).

[0167] [Table 17A] The seed cakes extracted using ethyl acetate after continuous pressing (second press) were later analyzed for calandin and pongamol concentrations under the conditions of Example A3, which had been used previously, to confirm the initial measurements in Table 17A. The results of the second experiment were observed to be slightly higher than the initial measurements. The results of the first experiment (experiment number 1, same as Table 17A above), the second experiment (experiment number 2), and the average of the two measurements ("average") are shown in Table 17B below.

[0168] [Table 17B] <Part III - Composition Profile of the Extracted Seed Cake> Following the extraction of pongamia seed cakes in Part II, the starting pongamia seed cake samples from Part I and the solvent-extracted pongamia seed cake samples from Part II were evaluated to measure, if any, the effects of mechanical processing and solvent extraction on the seed cake composition profile. The total protein, total carbohydrate, and amino acid profiles of the mechanically pressed pongamia seed cakes and the mechanically pressed ethyl acetate-extracted seed cakes were measured.

[0169] The amino acid content in Pongamia seed cake was measured by various methods depending on the identity of the amino acid to be quantified. For example, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine were measured by acid hydrolysis of Pongamia seed cake samples in 6N HCl for 24 hours at 110°C, followed by quantification by ion-exchange chromatography with ninhydrin post-column reaction and UV / vis detection (see method AOAC 982.30, modified). Tryptophan in seed cake samples was measured by alkaline digestion of seed cake with lithium hydroxide for 22 hours at 110°C, followed by quantification by reverse-phase chromatography with fluorescence detection (see method AOAC 998.15). The amounts of cysteine ​​and methionine were determined by oxidizing seed cake samples with performic acid to convert cysteine ​​to cysteic acid and methionine to methionine sulfone. The oxidized samples were then hydrolyzed to release cysteic acid and methionine sulfone from the protein, and the released cysteic acid and methionine sulfone were subsequently quantified by ion-exchange chromatography (reference method AOAC 994.12, modified).

[0170] Table 18 below shows the average amino acid profiles of pongamia meal obtained from two separate experiments, representing the amino acid content after mechanical pressing but before solvent extraction (continuous press, second press, "before treatment") and after both mechanical pressing and solvent extraction with ethyl acetate (continuous press, second press, "after treatment"). The amino acid profiles are expressed as the weight percentage (%w / w) of the relative amino acid content of the meal and as the percentage of the total amino acid content.

[0171] [Table 18] As shown in Table 18 above, the relative amino acid content and profile of the seed cake samples were largely preserved after ethyl acetate solvent extraction to remove calandin and pongamol. Solvent-extracted seed cakes generally showed slightly higher amino acid concentrations than the starting seed cakes, except for a decrease in lysine content. The higher concentration of amino acids in the solvent-extracted meal may be partly due to the removal of pongamol oil during solvent extraction, and thus the decrease in the total weight of the seed cake.

[0172] Furthermore, total protein and carbohydrates in the seed cake samples were measured before and after ethyl acetate solvent extraction. The total protein content was determined by placing the Pongamia seed cake sample in the combustion chamber of a protein analyzer, measuring the total nitrogen content of the gas produced by combustion, and calculating the protein content from the observed nitrogen content (protein content = 6.25 × nitrogen content).

[0173] The total carbohydrate content was calculated by subtracting the sum of the total ash content (%), total protein content (%), total moisture content (%), and total lipid content (%) from the remaining percentage of the Pongamia seed cake (100%). The total ash content was determined by placing a seed cake sample (2g) in a crucible, staining the sample in an oven, ashing the sample in a muffle oven at 600°C, and measuring the weight of the ash (see AOAC 942.05 method). The total moisture content was determined by heating the weighed sample in a forced fume hood at 130°C for 2 hours and determining the difference in sample weight relative to the percentage difference calculated for moisture content (see AOCS BA 2A-38 method). The total lipid content was determined by solvent extraction under reflux using petroleum ether (AOCS (Reference method to BA3-38, modified).

[0174] Table 19 shows the average total protein and average total carbohydrate content (as a weight percentage of the total weight of the sample) for two experiments: after mechanical pressing but before solvent extraction (continuous press pressing, second press, "before treatment") and after both mechanical pressing and solvent extraction with ethyl acetate (continuous press pressing followed by ethyl acetate extraction, second press, "after treatment").

[0175] [Table 19] The solvent extraction process did not result in any loss of protein or carbohydrate content in the pongamia seed cake. Similar to the amino acid profiles described above, the solvent-extracted seed cake samples showed slightly higher concentrations of total protein and total carbohydrates than the cakes of the starting seeds pressed in a continuous press.

[0176] [Example C: Ruminant animal feed composition] The following examples detail experimental efforts to evaluate the feasibility of administering ethyl acetate-extracted pongamiamyl to cattle.

[0177] <Example C1: Pongamia Supplement Test> The following examples describe a study comparing the use of ethyl acetate-extracted pongamia seed cake and soybean meal as separate supplement protein sources in relation to low-quality feed in cattle.

[0178] Thirteen castrated cattle were used in a fully randomized study and fed one of three diets: a control diet consisting of low-quality hay (5.0% crude protein) (CON) (n=4), a corn and distilled dry grain-based diet supplemented with soybean meal (SBM) (n=4), and a distilled dry grain-based diet supplemented with ethyl acetate-extracted pongamia seed cake (PSC) (n=5). The pongamia seed cake used in this study was continuous press-pressed, second-pressed, and ethyl acetate-extracted pongamia meal prepared in Example B, Part II.

[0179] Table 20 shows the compositions of the three test diet groups used in the study: hay (control), soybean meal (SBM), and solvent-extracted pongamia seed cake (PSC).

[0180] [Table 20] Table 21 shows the chemical composition of hay, soybean meal, and pongamia seed cakes.

[0181] Hay, SBM, and PSC were dried in a forced-air oven at 55°C for 96 hours and air-equilibriumized for partial dry material (DM) measurement. Hay and supplements were stored on an isoweight basis for one day, then ground through a 1 mm screen using a Wiley mill, and dried at 105°C to determine DM. Organic matter (OM) was measured as the loss of dry weight after burning in a muffle furnace at 450°C for 8 hours. Nitrogen was measured using an Elementar rapid N cube (Elementar, Hanua, Germany), and crude protein (CP) was calculated as N × 6.25. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) analysis was performed sequentially using an Ankom fiber analyzer with amylase.

[0182] The calandin and pongamol content in the pongamia seed cake was measured by microwave-assisted solvent extraction using ethyl acetate as described in Examples A3 and A4.

[0183] [Table 21] The test castrated cattle were fed a specified diet for a total duration of 21 days, including 13 days for adaptation and 8 days for sample collection. Measurement of dry matter intake and digestibility was facilitated by 6 days of total fecal collection in manure bags.

[0184] (statistical analysis) The intake and digestibility of dry matter were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.2 (SAS Inst Inc., Cary, NC). Model terms included treatment and duration, with castrated cattle used as a random effect. Model terms included treatment, duration, time, and time × treatment, with castrated cattle and treatment × duration × castrated cattle included as random terms. The repetition period was 1 hour and included treatment × castrated cattle. Treatment measures were calculated using the LSMEANS option. Table 22 shows the results of the statistical analysis across the three treatment groups.

[0185]

Table 22

[0186] <Example C2: Comparison of Bovine Feeding Base Diets Using Pongamia-Based Protein Supplements or Commercially Available Protein Supplements> This example details a comparative study in which one of three diets as shown in Table 23, including a diet containing a pongamia protein supplement (Group A), a diet containing only feed (Group B), and a diet containing a commercially available protein supplement (Group C), was given to test cows.

[0187] The pongamia seed cake used in this study was the continuous press-pressed, second-pressed, ethyl acetate-extracted pongamia meal prepared in Example B, Part II above. The pongamia seed cake was mixed with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) at a weight ratio of 30:70 to prepare a pongamia protein supplement. Table 24 shows the karanjin and pongamol concentrations of the pongamia composition used in this study, measured by the microwave-assisted solvent extraction analysis method with ethyl acetate described in Example A4 above. For the first 30 days of the test, the Sweet Pro CattleKandi protein supplement was employed as the commercial supplement for cows in Group C and was replaced with the Sweet Pro 16 supplement for the remaining tests.

[0188]

Table 23

Table 24

[0189] The test cows were monitored and given at least the full amount of the Pongamia-based protein supplement daily. Qualitative daily assessments were performed to ensure no adverse health effects occurred throughout the study period. To observe weight gain, all three test cow groups were weighed approximately every 30 days. The recorded weight gain for each test cow and treatment group is shown in Table 25.

[0190] [Table 25] As shown in Table 25, the cattle diet containing a Pongamia meal-derived protein supplement resulted in improved weight gain compared to a feed-only diet and showed comparable average weight gain in test castrated cattle compared to a diet containing a commercially available protein supplement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0191] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an exemplary process for analyzing a pongamia composition. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an exemplary process for preparing a pongamia composition having a calandin concentration of 100 ppm or less. [Figure 3A]Figure 3A shows a bar graph comparing the total concentrations of calandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) extracted from defatted pongamia seed cakes using various methanol-based extraction methods. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B shows a bar graph comparing the total concentrations of calandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) extracted from defatted pongamia seed cakes using various methanol-based extraction methods. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A shows a bar graph comparing the total concentrations of calandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) extracted from defatted pongamia seed cake using various solvents (methyl tert-butyl ether, ethanol, hexane, toluene, and ethyl acetate) in combination with various extraction methods. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B shows a bar graph comparing the total concentrations of calandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) extracted from defatted pongamia seed cake using various solvents (methyl tert-butyl ether, ethanol, hexane, toluene, and ethyl acetate) in combination with various extraction methods. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a bar graph comparing the total concentrations (in ppm, adjusted for the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cake using microwave-assisted extraction with ethyl acetate or an ionic liquid as the solvent. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a bar graph comparing the total concentrations (in ppm, adjusted for starting material amount) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cakes using microwave-assisted extraction with ethyl acetate or ionic liquid as the solvent. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A shows a comparison of the total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from defatted pongamia seed cake using various methods and solvents shown in Figures 3A-5B. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B shows a comparison of the total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cake using the various methods and solvents shown in Figures 3A-5B. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A shows the bar graph for the observed total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cakes using various alkyl alkanate solvents in combination with microwave-assisted solvent extraction. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B shows the bar graph for the observed total concentrations (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) of calandin and pongamol extracted from de-oiled pongamia seed cakes using various alkyl alkanate solvents in combination with microwave-assisted solvent extraction. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A shows a bar graph comparing the residual concentrations of curandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) in pongamia seed cakes subjected to various mechanical treatments, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B shows a bar graph comparing the residual concentrations of curandin and pongamol (adjusted to ppm relative to the amount of starting material) in pongamia seed cakes subjected to various mechanical treatments, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A shows a bar graph comparing the residual concentrations (ppm, adjusted for starting material amount) of curandin and pongamol in pongamia seed cakes subjected to various mechanical treatments combined with solvent extraction, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis. [Figure 9B]Figure 9B shows a bar graph comparing the residual concentrations (ppm, adjusted for starting material amount) of curandin and pongamol in pongamia seed cakes subjected to various mechanical treatments combined with solvent extraction, as measured by microwave-assisted ethyl acetate extraction analysis.

Claims

1. A Pongamia composition, Karandin and, 30% to 50% protein by dry weight, Total amino acid content of 20-30% by weight, 50-70% by weight of carbohydrates, 1% to 5% oil by dry weight, It comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, ash, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, and chalcones, Here, the pongamia composition has a curandin concentration of 80 ppm or less, and the curandin concentration of the pongamia composition is lower than that of the cake made from the de-oiled pongamia seeds from which the pongamia composition was obtained. Here, the concentration of carbohydrates and proteins in the pongamia composition is higher than that of the defatted pongamia seed cake obtained from the pongamia composition. Here, the relative amino acid profile of the pongamia composition is preserved in comparison to the cake of defatted pongamia seeds from which the pongamia composition was obtained. Herein, the amino acids in the cake of the pongamia seeds include alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, and each of the amino acids is present in the pongamia composition in a higher amount than the amount in the cake of the pongamia seeds before extraction.

2. The pongamia composition according to claim 1, wherein the pongamia composition has a carandin concentration of 80 ppm or less when measured by the following analytical method: Prepare an extract mixture by mixing the Pongamia composition with ethyl acetate; To prepare an irradiated mixture by irradiating the aforementioned extraction mixture with microwave radiation; The irradiation mixture is separated into the extracted pongamia composition and the ethyl acetate extract; and An analytical method comprising measuring the calandin concentration in the ethyl acetate extract.

3. The pongamia composition according to claim 1, further comprising pongamol.

4. The pongamia composition according to claim 3, wherein the pongamia composition has a concentration of pongamol of 100 ppm or less.

5. The pongamia composition according to claim 1, further comprising an alkyl alkanoate solvent.

6. The pongamia composition according to claim 5, wherein the pongamia seed meal has a concentration of less than 5,000 ppm of alkyl alkanoate solvent.

7. The pongamia composition according to claim 5, wherein the alkyl alkanoate solvent comprises ethyl acetate.

8. The pongamia composition according to claim 1, wherein the pongamia composition is obtained from a cake of defatted pongamia seeds having a carandin concentration of at least 200 ppm.

9. The Pongamia composition according to claim 1, A feed composition comprising a base feed.

10. The feed composition according to claim 9, wherein the feed composition comprises at least 30% by weight of the pongamia composition.

11. A method for feeding ruminants, comprising providing the ruminant with the pongamia composition described in claim 1 or the feed composition described in claim 9.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the ruminant is a cattle.

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