Grape Extract Polyphenol Profile for Blood Pressure Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an effective grape extract and dietary supplement that can lower blood pressure in pre-hypertensive individuals and those with Metabolic Syndrome, as current treatments focus on lifestyle changes and not drug therapy, and existing grape extracts may not provide sufficient health benefits due to their phenolic profiles.

Innovation Solution

A purified polyphenol grape extract is produced using processes involving hot water extraction, enzyme treatment, and microbial or enzymatic de-esterification to achieve a specific phenolic profile with high purity and low molecular weight phenolic compounds, which is formulated into dietary supplements for oral administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional grape extraction methods are used, then polyphenolic compounds are obtained, but the blood pressure lowering effect is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure lowering effectVSAvoidphenolic profile composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the phenolic profile composition through selective extraction and purification processes. Specifically, the method controls the ratios of monomers, dimers, trimers, and higher oligomers, while limiting epicatechin-gallate terminal units to 2% or less and extension units to 12% or less. This precise compositional control enhances the blood pressure lowering effect compared to conventional extracts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform phenolic profile with specific distribution patterns. The extract contains 5-15% monomers, 5-20% dimers, 3-10% trimers, and 2-10% tetramers, with deliberately limited gallate units. This localized optimization of specific phenolic compound concentrations at different molecular weights produces superior therapeutic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If grape extract is used to lower blood pressure, then health benefits are achieved, but oxidized LDL cholesterol levels also need to be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure reductionVSAvoidoxidized LDL cholesterol
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a grape extract that simultaneously performs multiple functions: lowering blood pressure and reducing oxidized LDL cholesterol levels. The standardized phenolic profile with controlled oligomer distribution provides dual therapeutic benefits, making the extract a multi-functional treatment for Metabolic Syndrome components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If lifestyle changes are recommended for pre-hypertensive individuals, then treatment is safe, but effectiveness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood pressure controlVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a standardized grape extract as a mediator between lifestyle modifications and blood pressure control. The extract serves as an intermediate therapeutic agent that enhances the effectiveness of lifestyle changes while maintaining safety, providing a bridge approach for pre-hypertensive management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The grape extract effectively reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure and oxidized LDL levels in individuals with pre-hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome, demonstrating significant health benefits comparable to pharmaceutical agents with minimal increase in insulin resistance.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a member selected from the group consisting of whole grapes, grape seeds, grape pomace, and mixtures thereof with water at an elevated temperature to obtain a crude grape-water extract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot water extraction:

Implementation Method 2

treating the crude grape-water extract with a live culture selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, fungi, and mixtures thereof at an elevated temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme treatment: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

treating the crude grape-water extract with a tannase enzyme at an elevated temperature to obtain the purified polyphenol extract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDe-esterification: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP1937091B1Grape extract, dietary supplement thereof, and processes therefor
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 CONSTELLATION BRANDS INC
  • EP1937091B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1937091B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1937091B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel grape extract, and processes for making such, that is useful for, inter alia, treating pre-hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and/or the conditions that comprise Metabolic Syndrome. The processes of the present invention produce a highly concentrated polyphenol product by maximizing extraction of monomeric and oligomeric procyanidins and minimizing extraction of polymeric procyanidins. The grape extract of the present invention comprises between about 5-15% monomers, about 5-20% dinners, about 3- 10% trimers, about 2-10% tetramers, and about 2-10% pentamers by weight. The grape extract of the present invention can be formulated into dietary supplements, including capsules, tablets, powders, solutions, gels, suspensions, creams, gels, and the like. These dietary supplements in, for instance, powder or solution form, may be added to nutraceuticals, foods and/or beverages to form functional nutraceutical, food, and/or beverage products.