Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for extracting, purifying and isolating cyclopamine from cyclopamine-containing biomass comprising the steps of contacting cyclopamine-containing organic matter with an extractant (e.g., aqueous extractant) capable of extracting cyclopamine, separating the extracted organic matter from the cyclopamine/extract solution, concentrating the cyclopamine/extract solution leaving a concentrated aqueous solution, contacting the concentrated aqueous solution with an organic extractant capable of selectively extracting cyclopamine from the aqueous phase, concentrating the cyclopamine-containing organic phase, providing an enriched extract containing cyclopamine, separating cyclopamine from the enriched extract using column chromatography, providing at least one fraction containing cyclopamine, and crystallizing select chromatography fractions to provide purified cyclopamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the direct extraction or dispersion and concentration of naturally-derived active compounds into food-grade edible solvents or excipients directly usable in food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products without the use of synthetic organic solvents or organic solvents derived from petroleum or petrochemical products. The method involves a treatment of a multi-component biomass solvent system with microwave energy having a generally uniform high electric field intensity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for extracting, purifying and isolating cyclopamine from cyclopamine-containing biomass comprising the steps of contacting cyclopamine-containing organic matter with an extractant (e.g., aqueous extractant) capable of extracting cyclopamine, separating the extracted organic matter from the cyclopamine/extract solution, concentrating the cyclopamine/extract solution leaving a concentrated aqueous solution, contacting the concentrated aqueous solution with an organic extractant capable of selectively extracting cyclopamine from the aqueous phase, concentrating the cyclopamine-containing organic phase, providing an enriched extract containing cyclopamine, separating cyclopamine from the enriched extract using column chromatography, providing at least one fraction containing cyclopamine, and crystallizing select chromatography fractions to provide purified cyclopamine.