Abstract: The present invention is directed towards natural colorants comprising a material selected from the group consisting of genipin, purified genipin, pre-genipin compounds, iridoid compounds, genipin deriviatives, a genipin-containing substance, and combinations of any thereof; and a primary amine containing compound. Processes of making natural colorants are further disclosed. Additionally, processes of producing a desired color of natural colorants are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for making acrylic acid from dextrose, which comprises fermenting dextrose; removing solids from the resulting fermentation broth; removing lactic acid from the clarified broth by extraction into an organic solvent; separating out the lactic acid-loaded organic solvent while recycling at least a portion of the remainder back to the fermentation step; reacting the lactic acid with ammonia to provide a dehydration feed comprising ammonium lactate while preferably recycling the organic solvent; carrying out a vapor phase dehydration of the ammonium lactate to produce a crude acrylic acid product; and purifying the crude acrylic acid by distillation followed by melt crystallization, chromatography or both melt crystallization and chromatography.

Abstract: A process is described for making acrylic acid from dextrose, which comprises fermenting dextrose; removing solids from the resulting fermentation broth; removing lactic acid from the clarified broth by extraction into an organic solvent; separating out the lactic acid-loaded organic solvent while recycling at least a portion of the remainder back to the fermentation step; reacting the lactic acid with ammonia to provide a dehydration feed comprising ammonium lactate while preferably recycling the organic solvent; carrying out a vapor phase dehydration of the ammonium lactate to produce a crude acrylic acid product; and purifying the crude acrylic acid by distillation followed by melt crystallization, chromatography or both melt crystallization and chromatography.

Abstract: Mixtures of ethanol and water are dehydrated using starch pearls to adsorb and remove water. Vapor-phase adsorption equilibrium capacities of cassava starch pellets (tapioca pearls) having different particle sizes are disclosed, and tapioca pearl particles are shown to be surprisingly more effective for dehydrating 88 to 97% w/w feed ethanol than corn grits. The adsorption equilibrium curve and BET surface area measurement show that the adsorption capacity of tapioca pearls is a function of surface area available to water molecules. SEM images demonstrate that the particle architecture required for the adsorption and dehydration properties is that of a core-shell configuration with pre-gel starch acting as a central scaffold holding together other particles to the outer layer of the particle. The outer surface area of the pearls, populated with dry starch granules, is the main factor determining the adsorption capacity of the pearls.

Abstract: Mixtures of ethanol and water are dehydrated using starch pearls to adsorb and remove water. Vapor-phase adsorption equilibrium capacities of cassava starch pellets (tapioca pearls) having different particle sizes are disclosed, and tapioca pearl particles are shown to be surprisingly more effective for dehydrating 88 to 97% w/w feed ethanol than corn grits. The adsorption equilibrium curve and BET surface area measurement show that the adsorption capacity of tapioca pearls is a function of surface area available to water molecules. SEM images demonstrate that the particle architecture required for the adsorption and dehydration properties is that of a core-shell configuration with pre-gel starch acting as a central scaffold holding together other particles to the outer layer of the particle. The outer surface area of the pearls, populated with dry starch granules, is the main factor determining the adsorption capacity of the pearls.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a molecular sieve absorbent bed used for dehydrating an organic solvent is disclosed. The process is illustrated by regenerating a molecular sieve bed used for dehydrating ethanol, which includes a dehydrating cycle where an ethanol/water vapor mixture is loaded onto the molecular sieve bed at a first temperature to absorb water and recover a substantially dehydrated ethanol vapor effluent. In a regeneration cycle, the bed is subjected to a temperature swing technique whereby a dried gas, such as dried CO2, heated to at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, is passed over the molecular sieve bed, optimally in a counter current directional flow with respect to the dehydrating cycle. The process obviates the need for applying a vacuum pressure swing to regenerate the molecular sieve bed. Water and residual ethanol are removed with the CO2 effluent and can optionally be condensed and combined with a feed input for a subsequent dehydrating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of separating at butanediol compound from a mixture containing polyhydric alcohols and butanediol compounds. The mixture of polyhydric alcohols typically contains propylene glycol and ethylene glycol in addition to the butanediol contaminants. Butanediol contaminants are removed by contacting the mixture with a chromatographic matrix. Either the butanediol compounds or the non-butanediol compounds adsorb to the chromatographic matrix. If desired, the adsorbed compounds may be eluted from the matrix, purified and used in products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a molecular sieve absorbent bed used for dehydrating an organic solvent is disclosed. The process is illustrated by regenerating a molecular sieve bed used for dehydrating ethanol, which includes a dehydrating cycle where an ethanol/water vapor mixture is loaded onto the molecular sieve bed at a first temperature to absorb water and recover a substantially dehydrated ethanol vapor effluent. In a regeneration cycle, the bed is subjected to a temperature swing technique whereby a dried gas, such as dried CO2, heated to at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, is passed over the molecular sieve bed, optimally in a counter current directional flow with respect to the dehydrating cycle. The process obviates the need for applying a vacuum pressure swing to regenerate the molecular sieve bed. Water and residual ethanol are removed with the CO2 effluent and can optionally be condensed and combined with a feed input for a subsequent dehydrating cycle.

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 regenerating a molecular sieve absorbent bed used for dehydrating an organic solvent is disclosed. The process is illustrated by regenerating a molecular sieve bed used for dehydrating ethanol, which includes a dehydrating cycle where an ethanol/water vapor mixture is loaded onto the molecular sieve bed at a first temperature to absorb water and recover a substantially dehydrated ethanol vapor effluent. In a regeneration cycle, the bed is subjected to a temperature swing technique whereby a dried gas, such as dried CO2, heated to at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, is passed over the molecular sieve bed, optimally in a counter current directional flow with respect to the dehydrating cycle. The process obviates the need for applying a vacuum pressure swing to regenerate the molecular sieve bed. Water and residual ethanol are removed with the CO2 effluent and can optionally be condensed and combined with a feed input for a subsequent dehydrating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method or preparing fatty acid alkyl esters from fatty acids contained in co-product streams, or waste or recycled fatty acid stock. The present method utilizes an acidic resin to convert the fatty acid stock into esters. The present method encompasses the use of reactive simulated moving bed chromatography, wherein above about 95 percent of the fatty acid stock is converted to fatty acid alkyl esters. The present method has been optimized to separate the ester product from the raffinate stream formed during the chromatographic process, thereby improving the yield of the esterification and preventing acid hydrolysis of the ester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: Processes for desalting glycerol-rich solutions or process streams using electrodialysis are provided. The glycerol-rich process streams are typically byproducts from the production of biodiesel. Following electrodialysis, the resulting aqueous salt solution is placed in a water splitting cell to recover the acid and base components of the salt. These acid and base components, in turn, can be reused in other processes, such as biodiesel production.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of separating at butanediol compound from a mixture containing polyhydric alcohols and butanediol compounds. The mixture of polyhydric alcohols typically contains propylene glycol and ethylene glycol in addition to the butanediol contaminants. Butanediol contaminants are removed by contacting the mixture with a chromatographic matrix. Either the butanediol compounds or the non-butanediol compounds adsorb to the chromatographic matrix. If desired, the adsorbed compounds may be eluted from the matrix, purified and used in products.

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 secondary chromatographic step. Also disclosed is a process that involves 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 method for converting a polyhydric alcohol into propylene glycol and butanediols is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for converting polyhydric alcohols into three-carbon products and four-carbon products. Also disclosed are methods for maximizing conversion of polyhydric alcohols and minimizing formation of reaction products that are difficult to remove from the desired product. In other embodiments, methods are described to optimize use of reactants, including hydrogen, in hydrogenolysis of polyhydric alcohols.

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.