Abstract: Processes, apparatus, and systems for purifying alcohol streams by reducing the concentration of sulfur compounds in those alcohol streams are presented herein. The invention is exemplified by reduction of sulfur dioxide, sulfate ion, and sulfite ion in an ethanol stream, but is applicable for the removal of other sulfur compounds from other alcohol streams.

Abstract: Process for obtaining lignan from plant material by extraction with an extraction solvent and separation of the liquid fraction from the plant material. The separated liquid fraction containing the lignan product is subjected to further processing to remove cyanogenic sugars and other impurities. The resulting lignan containing product may be formulated for the treatment of various conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, lupus, and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high purity isoflavone composition is disclosed. The process involves subjecting plant material to a primary chromatographic step to obtain an isoflavone enriched fraction and subjecting the isoflavone enriched fraction to a second chromatographic step. Also disclosed is a process that invloves passing the plant material through an ultrafiltration membrane which has a molecular weight cut-off range that produces a plant material permeate prior to subjecting the plant material permeate to primary and secondary chromatographic steps.

Abstract: Process for obtaining lignan from plant material by extraction with an extraction solvent and separation of the liquid fraction from the plant material. The separated liquid fraction containing the lignan product is subjected to further processing to remove cyanogenic sugars and other impurities. The resulting lignan containing product may be formulated for the treatment of various conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, lupus, and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high purity isoflavone composition is disclosed. The process involves subjecting plant material to a primary chromatographic step to obtain an isoflavone enriched fraction and subjecting the isoflavone enriched fraction to a second chromatographic step. Also disclosed is a process that involves passing the plant material through an ultrafiltration membrane which has a moleuclar weight cut-off range that produces a plant material permeate prior to subjecting the plant material permeate to primary and secondary chromatographic steps.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of separating tocopherols by using a weakly basic polyvinyl pyridine resin. The resin has the capacity to selectively bind tocopherols, allowing other impurities typically found in a tocopherol production plant stream to separate from the tocopherols. After loading a tocopherol-containing mixture onto a separatory column packed with the resin, the loaded column is eluted with a solvent followed by an alcohol. The eluate is collected in fractions, and the tocopherol-containing fractions are combined and concentrated to yield a purified tocopherol composition. It has been found that the present invention produces highly purified tocopherol compositions (90+%), and is particularly useful for preparing highly purified tocopherol compositions, specifically enriched in &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of separating tocopherols by using a weakly basic polyvinyl pyridine resin. The resin has the capacity to selectively bind tocopherols, allowing other impurities typically found in a tocopherol production plant stream to separate from the tocopherols. After loading a tocopherol-containing mixture onto a separatory column packed with the resin, the loaded column is eluted with a solvent followed by an alcohol. The eluate is collected in fractions, and the tocopherol-containing fractions are combined and concentrated to yield a purified tocopherol composition. It has been found that the present invention produces highly purified tocopherol compositions (90+%), and is particularly useful for preparing highly purified tocopherol compositions, specifically enriched in &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Process for obtaining lignan from plant material by extraction with an extraction solvent and separation of the liquid fraction from the plant material. The separated liquid fraction containing the lignan product is subjected to further processing to remove cyanogenic sugars and other impurities. The resulting lignan containing product may be formulated for the treatment of various conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, lupus, and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A method of recovering 1,3 -propanediol (PDO) from fermentation broth is disclosed. The method employs ion exclusion resins to separate PDO from other impurities. The product fraction contains greater than 80% pure PDO with high yield.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating basic amino acids from fermentation broth comprising contacting the broth with strong acid cation exchange resins that have a low degree of cross-linkage and eluting the amino acid. The method described herein results in higher yield and higher purity of lysine, in addition to higher throughput, as compared to conventional processes of purification of lysine from fermentation broth.

Abstract: A method of recovering 1,3-propanediol (PDO) from fermentation broth is disclosed. The method employs ion exclusion resins to separate PDO from other impurities. The product fraction contains greater than 80% pure PDO with high yield.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating basic amino acids from fermentation broth comprising contacting the broth with strong acid cation exchange resins that have a low degree of cross-linkage and eluting the amino acid. The method described herein results in higher yield and higher purity of lysine, in addition to higher throughput, as compared to conventional processes of purification of lysine from fermentation broth.