PROCESS FOR REMOVING IMPURITIES FROM NATURAL PRODUCT EXTRACTS

摘要

In general the present invention relates to a process for the removal of undesireable compounds or residues from an extract which are more polar or less polar than the desired target compound. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a three step process and is described in detail below. The first step includes contacting a plant material that acontains the desired target compunds(s) with a solvent, thus producing a crude extract containing a mixture of compounds that includes, in addition to the undesireable residues, the desired target compound(s). The second step involves passing the crude extract through a series of columns containing an absorbent that retards the movement of the undesireable compounds, while allowing the desired compounds to pass. The third and final step involves drying the eluant product to achieve a final product.