DESC:DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved process of glucomannan extraction from konjac which is used to overcome the presence of impurities and traces of sulfur dioxide in the end product due the conventional purification processes. The purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solution which is a novel process to produce purified form of glucomannan from konjac. The inventors of the present invention have arrived at the process through series of trials and intensive studies.
In one embodiment of the present invention fresh konjac is washed with hot water. The konjac is further washed with ascorbic acid solution which is an organic compound. After thorough wash, the outer layer is peeled off into stripes and the konjac is subjected to preferably shade drying. The dried flakes is converted to fine powder by grinding it. The fine powder is the konjac powder which as per the present invention is ready for further processing and glucomannan purification. In another embodiment, the dried powder of the konjac is soaked in isopropyl alcohol preferably in 1:2 ratio with intermittent shaking. The intermittent shaking of the solution results in the extraction and removal of carotene. This results in extraction of carotene which is filtered and the residual cake is dried for further processing. The residual cake is subjected to extraction with purified water at 40? for 24 hours. In another embodiment, the extract is filtered and the filtrate is mixed with ethanol at 1:3 ratio, stirred thoroughly and set aside. Taking advantage of the fact that glucomannan is soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents, it easily coagulates in organic solvents. The glucomannan begins coagulating and precipitating when mixed with ethanol and mixed thoroughly. The cake after filtering out the alcoholic slurry comprises glucomannan which is dried under vacuum. The glucomannan so obtained is photosensitive and susceptible and hence requires careful handling. The dried product is passed through No 60 mesh and powder packed. This final product obtained devoid of any impurities and traces of sulphur dioxide and its properties meets European specifications.
EXAMPLES: In order to implement the present invention and for better understanding, particular embodiments is being explained below through non-limiting examples. It is also understood that the modification of the detail may be done without deviating from the scope of the invention.
The process of removal of carotene from the konjac dried chips comprises of steps wherein, the dried konjac chips is treated with isopropyl alcohol. The ratio of konjac dried chips can be in the ratio of 1 part of konjac dried chips and 2 parts of isopropyl alcohol or 1 part of konjac dried chips and 3 parts of isopropyl alcohol or 1 part of konjac dried chips and 4 parts of isopropyl alcohol. Processing in any of the above mentioned ratios results in removal of carotene from the konjac dried chips, thus, ready for further processing. The process of coagulation and precipitation of purified form of glucomannan comprises of steps, wherein the aqueous filtered extract is treated with ethanol. The ratio of the aqueous filtered extract and ethanol can be in the ratio of 1 part of the aqueous filtered extract and 2 parts of ethanol or 1 part of the aqueous filtered extract and 3 parts of ethanol or 1 part of the aqueous filtered extract and 4 parts of ethanol or 1 part of the aqueous filtered extract and 5 parts of ethanol. Treatment in any of the above mentioned ratios results in coagulation of glucomannan and its precipitation. This is the purified form of glucomannan obtained. The process of final drying of the precipitated can be done through ordinary drying or vacuum drying or drying at 40? or by lyophilization to obtain final powdered glucomannan.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A process of purification of glucomannan from konjac comprising of following steps:
a. Preprocessing of Konjac
b. Processing of Konjac for removal of carotene by treatment with organic solvent
c. Mixing with organic solvent for further coagulation and precipitation of purified form of glucomannan.
Wherein the purified form of glucomannan obtained is free from impurities and has no traces of sulphur dioxide, ideal for application in medical, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
2. Pre-processing of konjac as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-processing steps comprises of washing konjac with hot water, followed by ascorbic acid
3. Removal of carotene as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dried konjac chips is treated with isopropyl alcohol, wherein the ratio of konjac to isopropyl alcohol is 1:2 or 1:3 or 1:4
4. Purification of glucomannan as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the ethanol is the organic solvent added to the aqueous filtered extract in the ratio 1:2 or 1:3 or 1:4 or 1:5 for the coagulation or precipitation of pure glucomannan.
5. The process of processing of coagulated glucomannan by filtration or centrifugation techniques
6. The process of drying of precipitated glucomannan by vacuum drying or drying at 40? or by lyophilization to obtain purified form of glucomannan.