Field of the Invention
The present invention is in relation to purification of L-Quebrachitol. More particularly
the present invention relates to a process for separation and purification of L-
Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex serum and other effluents released from rubber
factory.
Background of the Invention
L-Quebrachitol, chemically known to be monomethyl ether of L-inositol, is widely found in quebraco barks, para rubber trees called Hevea brasiliensis and various other plants. This compound is termed L-(-)-2-0-methyl -chiroinositol.
Inositols are cyclohexanehexols having six hydroxyl groups bonded on the cyclohexane nucleus, they are stereoisomeric in structure and have nine isomers, among which the myoinositol is most abundant in the natural world. It exists as a phosphoric ester in plants and as a phosphatidyl inositol in organisms and animals. Such an isomer is important from the biochemical point of view, and certain of its derivatives have been used as essential components for some antibiotics. L-Quebrachitol, because of its optical activity, may act as a physiologically active material for organisms and also as a starting material for pharmaceutical products and agricultural chemicals. This compound, however, is currently available from rubber latex serums on a rather small scale. A number of processes were used in the past for the extraction and purification of L-Quebrachitol without much success. This invention presents a simple and economical process for the separation and purification of L-Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex. A large number of people who have worked on this subject have failed and what was considered to be an insolvable problem has been solved due to this invention. Prior Art
The related art of interest describes various processes for obtaining L-quebrachitol, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an effective process in obtaining maximum yield and purity of L-quebrachitol so that the same can be utilized for various pharmaceutical uses. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

An article entitled "Isolation and Purification of Quebrachitol from Rubber Factory Effluents" by AMNP Attanayake and PAJ Yapa, Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda. However, the article dose not disclose any details of the protocol, wherein in our protocol it is clearly mentioned that the temperature range and volume reduction is up to 10 %. In addition, the article does not carry out deprotenization of the serum, wherein the contrary is true in the application of instant invention. Further, the aforementioned article makes use of separate ion exchange resins like cationic and anionic resins. However, in the instant invention we use a mixed bed single column for purification of serum. Furthermore, they use ethanol alone for precipitation of the compound Quebrachitol, where as in the instant invention we have used a simple evaporation technique to obtain L-Quebrachitol.
A US Patent No: US 2378141 entitled "Method for recovering quebrachitol from rubber latex serum" by William J. Hart, Warren Point, N.J. The proposed process in this patent involves obtaining serum through centrifugation, acid coagulation or creaming operations was first treated with lime and boiled in order to remove proteinaceous material and any rubber remaining in the serum. Thereafter the excess lime was removed by passing carbon dioxide or phosphoric acid. Then the pH of the serum was lowered using acids like acetic acid, formic acid or hydrochloric acid. In the next step serum was passed through a cation exchange material. Further purification was done by treating with anion exchange material. The serum was then concentrated at reduced pressure and L-quebrachitol crystallizes. However, the aforementioned US Patent number is no where in relation to the application of instant invention.
A US Patent No: 1758616 entitled "Method for recovering quebrachitol from rubber latex serum" by John McGava CK, AND George B. Binmore. This patent document proposes a process for recovering quebrachitol, wherein the process involves, and the rubber latex reduced to dryness by atomization in a heated chamber. This dry powder was treated with hot ethyl alcohol for 15-30 minutes and the extraction is repeated for 2-3 times. The alcoholic extract in hot condition is treated with bone black or animal charcoal. This was then filtered and concentrated. The L-quebrachitol crystallizes. The aforementioned US

Patent and the process mentioned is no where in relation to the application of instant invention.
A Japanese Patent No: 2019332 entitled "Collection of L-quebrachitol contained natural rubber serum" by Ogawa Seiichiro, Seenda Noritaka and Suzuki Minoru. In this Japanese Patent the rubber latex serum, was acetylated using acetic anhydride at 30-120° C for 5 hrs with stirring. Dehydrating agents such as concentrated sulphuric acid or Zinc chloride and a base such as pyridine was added as reaction auxiliaries. Then they went for a solvent extraction to remove impurities. The resulting serum was washed with alkali. The acetylated quebrachitol was then separated from the serum by passing through a silica column. The acetylated quebrachitol was deacetylated by a hydrolysis reaction using an acid (HC1 or Sulphuric acid) or a base (Na20CH3) in an oil bath of 100-150° C for 10-20 hrs. The pure quebrachitol was recovered. Once again the aforementioned Japanese Patent is no where in relation to the application of instant invention.
A Japanese Patent No: 2091035 entitled "Method of recovering L-quebrachitol from rubber latex serums" by Udagawa Yoshitaka, Machida Morihisa and Ogawa Seiichiro. Here, the method involves concentrating natural rubber serum to form pulverized solids. The dry material was dissolved in methyl alcohol and extracted at temperature -20° to 40° C. The resultant serum was concentrated in vacuum. This was then kept overnight at room temperature for crystallization. The crystals were dissolved in distilled water and then treated with active carbon for discoloration. The serum was filtered and passed through suitable ion exchange resin. Ethanol was added to this solution until turbidity develops. This white precipitation is quebrachitol. The solution was allowed to stand at low temperature in refrigerator for crystal growth.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, obtaining L-quebrachitol from natural rubber latex serum using the process of instant invention will therefore helps in addressing the problems associated with the prior art. The novelty of the process of instant invention resides not in a single step. It is the sequence of steps involved which

are unique and which has resulted in arriving at high yield and purity than reported in the prior art.
Objects of the Present Invention
> The principal object of the present invention is to develop a process for the separation and purification of L-Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex.
> Another object of the present invention is to develop a process for the separation and purification of L-Quebrachitol from the effluents released by rubber factory.
> Still another object of the present invention is to develop a process for the separation and purification of L-Quebrachitol from the effluents such as C-serum and A-serum.
Statement of the Invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for obtaining substantially pure L-
Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex serum, said process comprising steps of (a)
extracting serum from natural rubber latex using water alcoholic mixture (b)
concentration of serum by boiling to reduce the volume (c) deproteination of boiled
serum using organic solvent (d) filtration of deproteinated serum to remove extraneous
matter (e) evaporation of the filtrate by heating to obtain residue (f) the residue is
dissolved in organic solvent and passed through silica column to remove lipid and related
impurities to obtain eluate (g) evaporation of eluate by heating, dissolving in water and
passing through ion exchange resin to obtain second eluate (h) the second eluate is either
directly evaporated or re-dissolved in water followed by heating and cooling to obtain
crystals of L-Quebrachitol.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
Fig: 1A Standard HPLC Chromatogram of L-Quebrachitol
Fig: IB Sample HPLC Chromatogram of L-Quebrachitol obtained from Natural Rubber
Latex
Fig: 2 TIC Chromatogram of Standard L-Quebrachitol and L-Quebrachitol obtained from
Natural Rubber Latex
Fig: 3 Mass Spectrum shown in continuum mode for Standard L-Quebrachitol and L-
Quebrachitol obtained from Natural Rubber Latex

Fig: 4 Mass Spectrum shown in centroid mode for Standard L-Quebrachitol and L-
Quebrachitol obtained from Natural Rubber Latex
Fig: 5 Mass spectrum of L-Quebrachitol sample in Centroid mode and continuum mode.
Fig: 6AIR Spectrum of Standard L-Quebrachitol
Fig: 6B IR Spectrum of L-Quebrachitol obtained from Natural Rubber Latex
Fig: 7A NMR Specturm of Standard L-Quebrachitol
Fig: 7B NMR Specturm of L-Quebrachitol obtained from Natural Rubber Latex
Detailed description of the present invention
The present invention is in relation to a process for obtaining substantially pure L-Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex serum, said process comprising steps of (a) extracting serum from natural rubber latex using water alcoholic mixture (b) concentration of serum by boiling to reduce the volume (c) deproteination of boiled serum using organic solvent (d) filtration of deproteinated serum to remove extraneous matter (e) evaporation of the filtrate by heating to obtain residue (f) the residue is dissolved in organic solvent and passed through silica column to remove lipid and related impurities to obtain eluate (g) evaporation of eluate by heating, dissolving in water and passing through ion exchange resin to obtain second eluate (h) the second eluate is either directly evaporated or re-dissolved in water followed by heating and cooling to obtain crystals of L-Quebrachitol.
In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the purity of L-Quebrachitol is 100 % and the yield is ranging from 140mg to 160mg, preferably of about 150 mg/ 100
ml of serum.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the serum is selected from group comprising natural rubber latex and factory effluents as C-serum and A-serum. Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hydro alcoholic mixture for extraction is used at a concentration ranging from 70 % to 90 % of ethanol and preferably about 80 % ethanol.

Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the concentration of serum
by boiling is carried out at a temperature ranging from 70 to 90° C and preferably carried
out at a temperature of about 80° C.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the volume of serum is
reduced to about 10 times of its initial volume.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the boiling of serum is carried
out for a time period ranging from 25 min to 35 min, and preferably carried out for a time
period of about 30 minutes.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein said organic solvent is
selected from a group comprising propanone or acetone, 2-butanone, 3-methy-2-
butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 1-phenylethanone and 2-hydroxyphenylethanone.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein said deproteination is carried
overnight at a temperature ranging from 2 to6 ° C and preferably carried out at a
temperature of about 4° C.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the filtrate is evaporated by
heating at a temperature ranging from 70 to90 ° C and preferably at a temperature of
about 80° C.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the filtrate is evaporated for a
time period ranging from 25min to 35 min and preferably carried out for a time period of
about 30 minutes.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the eluate is evaporated by
heating at a temperature ranging from 50 to 60° C and preferably carried out at a
temperature of about 55 C.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the eluate is evaporated by
heating for a time period ranging from 25 min to35 min and preferably carried out for a
time period of about 30 minutes.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the ion exchange resin is a
mixed bed ion exchange resin having both cationic and anionic resins.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate was
evaporated by heating at a temperature ranging from 70-90°C and preferably at about 80°
C

Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate was evaporated by heating for a time period ranging from 40 to50 min and preferably for a time period of about 45 minutes.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate is re-dissolved in water and heated at a temperature ranging from 50 to 70°C and preferably heated at a temperature of about 60 °C.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate is re-dissolved in water and heated for a time period ranging from 1.5 min to2.5 min preferably for a time period of about 2 min.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate in water is cooled at room temperature for a time period ranging from 3hrs to 5 hrs and preferably cooled for a time period of about 4 hrs.
Still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second eluate is either directly evaporated to dryness to obtain crystals of L-quebrachitol or by giving cold shock for a time period ranging from 15-30 min and preferably for time period of about 20 min.
The protocol of the process involved to arrive at L-quebrachitol is provided below in step wise manner:
Step I: Latex extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature to obtain clean serum (400 ml). Altenatively, serum (400ml) obtained through centrifugation of latex (as obtained from latex centrifugation factory) also was used.
Step II: Volume of serum reduced by 90% by boiling at 80°C (30 minutes for 400ml serum to be reduced to 40ml)
Step III: Deproteination with 50% acetone by acetone by keeping overnight at 4°C and Filtered. (Step II helped to reduce the volume of serum and thus the volume of Acetone used for deproteination).
Step IV: Filtrate completely evaporated by heating at 80°C for 30 minutes and dissolved in 3ml acetone and passed through silica column to remove lipid and related impurities to obtain eluate.

Step V: The eluate (150 ml) completely evaporated by heating at 50 - 60°C for 30min. Then dissolved in water (3ml) milliQ water and passed through ion exchange resin (mixed bed).
Step VI: Second Eluate (150 ml milliQ water) completely evaporated at 70 - 80 °C for
45min.
Step VII: a, Redissolved in 3ml milliQ water. Warmed at 60°C for 2min.Cooled to room temperature for four hours. L-quebrachitol crystallized,
b. Evaporation of eluate to dryness itself proceeds crystal growth. Crystallization can be further speeded up by giving a cold shock i.e. by Keeping in an ice bath for sometimes (15 -30 minutes).
The crystallized L-quebrachitol is subjected to various instrumental methods of analysis. The chromatograms of respective instrumental analysis are duly represented under the heading brief description of the drawings starting from Fig: 1A to Fig: 7B. the instrumental methods of analysis used are as follows: HPLC, LC-MS, IR and NMR analysis. The instrumental methods of analysis had established its molecular identity, mass and purity. The chemical structure of L-quebrachitol is as provided below:

The technology of the instant Application is further elaborated with the help of following examples. However, the examples should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention-

Examples
Example: 1
The serum obtained by extraction of latex with 80% alcohol (room temperature or 80°C). The serum was concentrated by boiling at 80°C for Vi an hr (volume reduction by lOtimes). This serum was then deproteinized using 50% acetone at 4° C. The serum was filtered and evaporated completely by boiling at 80°C for Vi an hr. The residue was dissolved in acetone (3ml) and passed through a silica column to remove lipid and related impurities. The resulting serum was evaporated completely by boiling at 50-60°C for V% an hr. The residue was dissolved in milliQ water (3ml) and passed through a mixed bed ion exchange resin. Heating at 70-80°C for 45 minutes evaporated the resultant serum. The concentrated serum was suspended in 3ml milliQ water, warmed for 2 minutes at 60°C and allowed to stand at room temperature for few hours (l-2hrs) and cooled for about four hrs. The quebrachitol crystallizes. Another method we tried for crystallization is simple evaporation of the aqueous solution (second eluate). Evaporation of aqueous solution to dryness itself mediates crystal growth. Crystallization can be speeded up by giving a cold shock i.e. by keeping on an ice bath for sometimes (15- 30 minutes). The yield obtained was found to be about 150 mg based on 100 ml of starting serum (1500 mg per one liter serum).
Example: 2
The source of serum used here was C-serum, wherein the said serum is subjected to centrifugation to obtain clear serum. The serum was concentrated by boiling at 80°C for Vi an hr (volume reduction by lOtimes). This serum was then deproteinized using 50% acetone at 4° C. The serum was filtered and evaporated completely by boiling at 80°C for Vi an hr. The residue was dissolved in acetone (3ml) and passed through a silica column to remove lipid and related impurities. The resulting serum was evaporated completely by boiling at 50-60°C for V% an hr. The residue was dissolved in milliQ water (3ml) and passed through a mixed bed ion exchange resin. Heating at 70-80°C for 45 minutes evaporated the resultant serum. The concentrated serum was suspended in 3ml milliQ water, warmed for 2 minutes at 60°C and allowed to stand at room temperature for few

hours (l-2hrs) and cooled for about four hrs. The quebrachitol crystallizes. Another method we tried for crystallization is simple evaporation of the aqueous solution (second eluate). Evaporation of aqueous solution to dryness itself mediates crystal growth. Crystallization can be speeded up by giving a cold shock i.e. by keeping on an ice bath for sometimes (15- 30 minutes). The yield obtained was found to be about 150 mg based on 100 ml of starting serum (1500 mg per one liter serum). Example: 3
The source of serum used here was A-serum, wherein the said serum is subjected to acid treatment to obtain clear serum. The serum was concentrated by boiling at 80°C for lA an hr (volume reduction by lOtimes). This serum was then deproteinized using 50% acetone at 4° C. The serum was filtered and evaporated completely by boiling at 80°C for lA an hr. The residue was dissolved in acetone (3ml) and passed through a silica column to remove lipid and related impurities. The resulting serum was evaporated completely by boiling at 50-60°C for Vz an hr. The residue was dissolved in milliQ water (3ml) and passed through a mixed bed ion exchange resin. Heating at 70-80°C for 45 minutes evaporated the resultant serum. The concentrated serum was suspended in 3ml milliQ water, warmed for 2 minutes at 60°C and allowed to stand at room temperature for few hours (l-2hrs) and cooled for about four hrs. The quebrachitol crystallizes. Another method we tried for crystallization is simple evaporation of the aqueous solution (second eluate). Evaporation of aqueous solution to dryness itself mediates crystal growth. Crystallization can be speeded up by giving a cold shock i.e. by keeping on an ice bath for sometimes (15- 30 minutes). The yield obtained was found to be about 150 mg based on 100 ml of starting serum (1500 mg per one liter serum).
Example: 4
The physical characteristic of the isolate L-quebrachitol was found to be as follow:
Melting Point: 190° C. Solubility: Soluble in water Stability: Stable

Example: 5
The crystallized L-quebrachitol obtained using the aforementioned process from various starting materials was subjected to instrumental methods of analysis of which the first and foremost analysis was High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The HPLC parameters involved in the analysis are as follows:
Mobile Phase: Water
Column: Shodex SclOl 1 (8mm ID x 300 mm)
Column Temperature: 30° C
Flow Rate: 0.6 ml/ min.
Detection: Refractive Index Detector at 30° and sensitivity 64
Injection volume: 20 \xh
Run time: 60 min.
Diluents: Water
The sample was dissolved in water and an amount of 20 \xh was injected. It is evident from Fig: 1A and IB that the retention time of standard L-quebrachitol (Sigma) was found to have a retention time of 32.021 minutes. In comparison the sample L-quebrachitol obtained from natural rubber latex, C-serum and A-serum was found to have a retention time of 31.896 minutes. Based on the comparison of retention time of both standard and sample it is identified that the isolated compound is L-quebrachitol. In addition, the sample area of the peak was calculated vis-a-vis the standard L-quebrachitol and it was found to be 100 % pure quebrachitol.
Example: 6
The crystallized L-quebrachitol obtained using the aforementioned process from various starting materials as mentioned in examples 1, 2, and 3 was subjected to instrumental methods of analysis of which the second analysis was LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy). The LC-MS parameters involved in the analysis are as follows:

Mobile Phase: HPLC grade water
Column: Shodex SC1011 (8mm ID x 300 mm)
Column Temperature: 30° C
Sample Temperature: 4° C
Flow Rate: 1.2 ml/ min.
Detection: Mass Detector at 193 daltons
Injection volume: 10 |iL
Runtime: 15 min.
Diluents: HPLC grade water
The sample and standard solutions were prepared using HPLC grade water to attain a concentration of 100 ppm. The sample was run on Alliance HPLC system. A suitable HPLC column as mentioned above and Waters Quattro Premier XE Mass detector has been used for this study. The target component as observed in the MS total ion count has been scanned for their mass spectrum. The relevant chromatograms of LC-MS are shown in Fig:2, Fig: 3, Fig:4 and Fig:5. The Mass Spectrometer was turned to achieve the highest sensitivity of the molecule of interest i.e. L-Quebrachitol having atomic mass 194 Daltons. In order to get greater sensitivity for the aforesaid molecule, it was ionized in the source of mass spectrometer using electro spray ionization in the negative mode. All other MS parameters were accordingly adjusted to attain highest sensitivity for L-Quebrachitol. The data obtained during the analysis of the samples and standards were processed with use of the Mass Lynx. In conclusion, the compound L-Quebrachitol was found to be at a mass of 193.13 that's (M-l), which was eluting at about 7.8 min. in the present study.
Further, the MS analysis in ESI negative mode and the scan and spectrum for the same were analyzed. With the reduced run time to overall 15 minutes from 60 minutes, the lower system volumes in HPLC promisingly show high speed of analysis, better

sensitivity and greater resolution. It provides an easy way to handle larger number of samples very conveniently and provide greater efficiency in laboratories.
Thus, the molecular weight of the compound is confirmed by LC-MS method using electron ionization in negative mode for the detection. It was found that the molecular weight of the purified L-Quebrachitol is 193.13 which are exactly the same as that of the standard L-Quebrachitol 194.13.
Example: 7
The FTIR spectrum of the standard is shown in Fig: 6A and that of sample is shown in Fig: 6B. The IR spectrum of the isolate L-quebrachitol was found to be super imposable with that of standard L-quebrachitol. This confirms the identity of the sample. Thus, it is found that the compound is absolutely pure as both the sample and standard spectrums have exactly identical dips at particular wave numbers. In conclusion, it confirms the identity and purity of the isolate L-quebrachitol as 100 %.
Example: 8
The 'H-NMR spectrum of standard is shown in Fig: 7A and that of sample is shown in Fig: 7B. The 'H-NMR analysis of the isolate L-quebrachitol was analyzed, wherein the sample is made in DMSO-d6 USING 300 MHz NMR spectrometer. The following sets of signals of chemical shifts were obtained.
'H NMR (8)- 4.70-4.67 (m), 4.51-4.47 (m), 4.35-4.33 (d), 3.86-3.85 (d), 3.67-3.66 (d), 3.30 (s), 3.10-3.06 (dd)
[m-multiple shift:d-doubled shift:s-singlet:dd-double doublet]
The spectrum of the isolate sample was compared with spectrum of the standard quebrachitol purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Both the spectrum was found to be identical. Thus, the (H NMR reveals that the compound is highly pure as both sample and standard spectrum have identical peaks. In conclusion, it confirms the identity and purity of the isolate L-quebrachitol as 100 %.

We Claim:
1) A process for obtaining substantially pure L-Quebrachitol from natural rubber latex serum, said process comprising steps of (a) extracting serum from natural rubber latex using water alcoholic mixture (b) concentration of serum by boiling to reduce the volume (c) deproteination of boiled serum using organic solvent (d) filtration of deproteinated serum to remove extraneous matter (e) evaporation of the filtrate by heating to obtain residue (f) the residue is dissolved in organic solvent and passed through silica column to remove lipid and related impurities to obtain eluate (g) evaporation of eluate by heating, dissolving in water and passing through ion exchange resin to obtain second eluate (h) the second eluate is either directly evaporated or re-dissolved in water followed by heating and cooling to obtain crystals of L-Quebrachitol.
2) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the purity of L-Quebrachitol is 100 % and the yield is ranging from 140mg to 160mg, preferably of about 150 mg/ 100 ml of serum.
3) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the serum is selected from group comprising natural rubber latex and factory effluents as C-serum and A-serum.
4) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydro alcoholic mixture for extraction is used at a concentration ranging from 70 % to 90 % of ethanol and preferably about 80 % ethanol.
5) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration of serum by boiling is carried out at a temperature ranging from 70 to 90° C and preferably carried out at a temperature of about 80° C.
6) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the volume of serum is reduced to about 10 times of its initial volume.
7) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boiling of serum is carried out for a time period ranging from 25 min to 35 min, and preferably carried out for a time period of about 30 minutes.

8) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said organic solvent is selected from a group comprising propanone or acetone, 2-butanone, 3-methy-2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 1-phenylethanone and 2-hydroxyphenylethanone.
9) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deproteination is carried overnight at a temperature ranging from 2 to6 ° C and preferably carried out at a temperature of about 4° C.
10) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtrate is evaporated by heating at a temperature ranging from 70 to90 ° C and preferably at a temperature of about 80° C.
11) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtrate is evaporated for a time period ranging from 25min to 35 min and preferably carried out for a time period of about 30 minutes.
12) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eluate is evaporated by heating at a temperature ranging from 50 to 60° C and preferably carried out at a temperature of about 55 ° C.
13) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the eluate is evaporated by heating for a time period ranging from 25 min to35 min and preferably carried out for a time period of about 30 minutes.
14) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ion exchange resin is a mixed bed ion exchange resin having both cationic and anionic resins.
15) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate was evaporated by heating at a temperature ranging from 70-90°C and preferably at about 80° C.
16) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate was evaporated by
heating for a time period ranging from 40 to 50 min and preferably for a time
period of about 45 minutes.
17) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate is re-dissolved in water and heated at a temperature ranging from 50 to 70°C and preferably heated at a temperature of about 60 °C.
18) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate is re-dissolved in water and heated for a time period ranging from 1.5 min to2.5 min preferably for a time period of about 2 min.

19) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate in water is cooled at
room temperature for a time period ranging from 3hrs to5 hrs and preferably
cooled for a time period of about 4 hrs.
20) The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second eluate is either directly
evaporated to dryness to obtain crystals of L-quebrachitol or by giving cold shock
for a time period ranging from 15-30 min and preferably for time period of about
20 min.
21) A process for obtaining substantially pure L-Quebrachitol substantially as herein
described along with accompanying examples.