Production of glucosamine from plant species

• US 8,378,090 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Petiard, Vincent, Michaux, Stephane, Courtois, Didier
• Primary Examiner(s): Haas, Wendy C
• Application Number:
  US11/913,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,475 Days
• Field of Search: 536/55.2
• US Class Current: 536/55.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7008 Compounds having an amino group directly attached to a carbon atom of the saccharide radical, e.g. D-galactosamine, ranimustine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/23 Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (Carrot family), e.g. dill, chervil, coriander or cumin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/28 Asteraceae or Compositae (Aster or Sunflower family), e.g. chamomile, feverfew, yarrow or echinacea
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for generating glucosamine from plants wherein fresh plant materials, or re-hydrated dried plant materials or plant extracts, are heated at a temperature comprised between 70 and 110° C. for more than 10 hours, characterized in that a fertilizer acting as glucosamine precursor is added during the cultivation of the plants, before the harvest.

Claims

1. A process for generating glucosamine from plants, the method comprising:

adding a nitrogen-based fertilizer that acts as a glucosamine precursor during cultivation of a plant material, before harvest, wherein the plant material is a plant species belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of Cichorium, Daucus, Helianthus, Beta and combinations thereof;

harvesting the plant material; and

heating the plant material in a form selected from the group consisting of non-dried plant materials, re-hydrated dried plant materials and plant extracts, to a temperature of between 70 and 110°

C. for more than 10 hours, and less than one week to generate glucosamine from the plant material.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the fertilizer is a compound that allows the formation of a sugar-nitrogen compound condensation required to form glucosamine.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the plants are selected from the group consisting of chicory (Cichorium intybus), carrot (Daucus carota), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosum), and beet (Beta vulgaris).

4. The process according to claim 3 wherein chicory is produced in hydroponic conditions.

5. The process according to claim 4 wherein the fertilizer is added in a nutritive solution for a hydroponic cultivation of chicory roots before or after production of endives.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein the resulting chicory roots of the endive production are used as a source of glucosamine.

8. The process according to claim 1 wherein the fertilizer is ammonium salts.

7. A process for generating glucosamine, the method comprising:

cultivating a plant material in a hydroponic culture system;

adding a glucosamine precursor comprising a nitrogen-based fertilizer during cultivation of the plant material, before harvest, wherein the plant material is a plant species belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of Cichorium, Daucus, Helianthus, Beta and combinations thereof;

harvesting the plant material; and

heating the plant material to a temperature of between 70 and 110°

C. for more than 10 hours and less than one week to generate glucosamine from the plant material.

9. The process according to claim 7 wherein the fertilizer is a compound that allows the formation of a sugar-nitrogen compound condensation required to form glucosamine.

10. The process according to claim 7 wherein the fertilizer is ammonium salts.