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US4861616A
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Stable peppermint oil having reduced pulegone content and method of producing the same
Assignee: AM TODD COMPANY A CORP OF MI
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Filing: 1988-08-18
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2008-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Crystal-clear peppermint oil maintaining its noble character and having a reduced pulegone content, enhanced menthone and menthol content, and improved stability against menthofuran oxidation breakdown is produced by a stereospecific method of reduction by hydrogenation of pulegone in situ using a saturated aqueous solution of sodium sulfite in the presence of glacial acetic acid at approximately neutral pH.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey S. Spencer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:14
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11B; C11B9/00; C11B9/02; C11B9/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for the reduction of the pulegone content in peppermint oil without detraction from the desirable flavoring-agent characteristics thereof which comprises the step of subjecting peppermint oil to a reduction process employing sodium sulfite by mixing the reactants in the presence of water supplying hydrogen ions for hydrogenation of pulegone at a pH between about 6 and about 8.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for the reduction of the pulegone content in peppermint oil without detraction from the desirable flavoring-agent characteristics thereof which comprises the step of subjecting peppermint oil to a reduction process employing sodium sulfite by mixing the reactants in the presence of water supplying hydrogen ions for hydrogenation of pulegone at a pH between about 6 and about 8.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 1, wherein the reduction is conducted in the presence of acetic acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method of claim 1, which is conducted using aqueous sodium sulfite and in the presence of glacial acetic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 3, wherein the aqueous sodium sulfite is a saturated solution of sodium sulfite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 3, wherein an excess of sodium sulfite over the theoretical is employed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 5, wherein approximately four times the theoretical amount of sodium sulfite is employed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the pH is maintained by the addition of glacial acetic acid during the course of the reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method of claim 1, wherein the pH is maintained at approximately neutral.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature at or near the boiling point of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of claim 9, wherein the reaction is carried out at reflux or with the employment of a looped system for return of water vapor to the reaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method of claim 1, wherein, upon termination of the reaction, the peppermint oil is separated from the aqueous phase containing the remaining reactants and reaction products.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method of claim 11, wherein the separated peppermint oil is steam-distilled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
Method of claim 11, wherein the peppermint oil contains less than about 0.5% pulegone, an increased 1-menthone and menthol content, and is characterized by improved stability against menthofuran oxidation breakdown.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3083105A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-28 | 1993-02-27 | 1993-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-28 | 1997-02-27 | 1997-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-02-27 | 2001-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |