| PATENT ASSIGNEE'S COUNTRY | USA |
| UPDATE | 11.99 |
| PATENT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT GRANT DATE | 23.11.99 |
| PATENT TITLE |
Banana peel extract composition and method for extraction |
| PATENT ABSTRACT |
An extract composition derived from the peel of a banana and the method for producing the extract composition. An aqueous solvent is combined with the peel of a banana. If the banana is unripe, a base is also added. The mixture is homogenized and allowed to react at least until a black supernatant appears. The entire slurry is filtered. The resulting extract is used alone or combined with a cream or ointment. Medicinal benefits of the extract include relief from pain, swelling, itching, bruising, wrinkles, and sunburn. |
| PATENT INVENTORS | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT ASSIGNEE | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT FILE DATE | 29.01.98 |
| PATENT REFERENCES CITED |
Shayne C. Gad, Brendan J. Dunn, Donald W. Dobbs, Christopher Reilly, and Robert D. Walsh, "Development and Validation of an Alternative Dermal Sensitization Test: The Mouse Ear Swelling Test (MEST)," Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 84, 93-114 (1986). Internet publication entitled "Unleashing the Power of the Banana Peel," Internet website for EXOREX.TM.. Applicant first became aware of this internet publication on Dec. 15, 1997. Applicant is unaware when it was first available. Internet publication entitled "Treatment for Psoriasis and Eczema" Applicant first became aware of this internet publication on Dec. 15, 1997. Applicant is unaware when it was first available. Internet publication entitled "Exorex New Breakthrough Psoriasis Medication Launched" Applicant first became aware of this internet publication on Dec. 15, 1997. Applicant is unaware when it was first available. Internet publication entitled "IMX Pharmaceuticals Signs Ecked Drug Stores for National Distribution of Exorex" Applicant first became aware of this internet publication on Dec. 15, 1997. Applicant is unaware when it was first available. Newspaper article entitled "Banana Peel Cure Probably All in the Head." Applicant first became aware of this publication on Dec. 3, 1997. Applicant is unaware when it was first available. |
| PATENT CLAIMS |
What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 1. A topically applied medicinal composition, said composition comprising: a) 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate in an amount by weight of at least about 1.7% of the composition; and b) elemicin in an amount by weight of at least 0.4% of the composition. 2. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising isopropyl mysistate in an amount by weight of about 4.7% of the composition. 3. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising methyl 14-methylpentadecanoate in an amount by weight of about 3% of the composition. 4. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising isopropyl pamitate in an amount by weight of about 2.4% of the composition. 5. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising methyl 9,12-octadecadienoate in an amount by weight of about 2.6% of the composition. 6. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising methyl 9,12,16-octadecatrienoate in an amount by weight of about 2.1% of the composition. 7. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising linoleic acid in an amount by weight of about 6.2% of the composition. 8. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising ethyl linoleate in an amount by weight of about 7.4% of the composition. 9. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising tryoctylamine in an amount by weight of about 5.7% of the composition. 10. The composition as recited in claim 1, further comprising a carrier material. 11. The composition as recited in claim 10, wherein said carrier material is a cream. 12. The composition as recited in claim 10, wherein said carrier material is a lotion. 13. The composition as recited in claim 10, wherein said carrier material is an ointment. 14. The composition as recited in claim 10, wherein said carrier material is an oil. 15. A topically applied medicinal composition from at least one banana peel, said composition comprising 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate; and elemicin in therapeutically effective amounts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| PATENT DESCRIPTION |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention The present invention is directed generally to extraction methods, and more specifically to methods for extracting compounds from bananas. 2. The Relevant Technology The common banana, scientifically known as Musa sapientum, is a tropical fruit grown in the western hemisphere. Primarily viewed as a food source, the banana has fleshy inside portion surrounded by an outer, typically yellow, peel. The fleshy inside portion, or pulp, is edible when raw, and the peel is usually discarded. When ripe, bananas have a deep yellow rind spotted with brown, and a creamy pulp which is easily digested. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates and contain relatively large amount of vitamins A, B and C and the minerals potassium and phosphorous. The banana has value in addition to being a food source. The fruit producing tree contains fiber which is used in the production of paper and twine. The peel and pulp have also been utilized to obtain banana essences, which are solutions of aromatic components, essentially free of sugars and solid constituents. Banana essences have been obtained by homogenizing the pulp of a ripened banana, or by an extensive separation and extraction process of the peel. Some cultures believe that the banana peel provides pain relief, especially from headache pain. However, experts in the field have maintained that there is nothing that is absorbed through the skin from a banana peel that has any effect on a headache. The experts argue that any relief experienced is probably a placebo effect. SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide improved and simplified methods for extracting desired substances from banana peels. Yet another object of the invention is to provide medicinal uses for a banana peel extract composition. It is another object of the invention to provide improved treatments for arthritis, inflammation, sunburn, and the like with the use of a banana peel extract composition. These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. To achieve the forgoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention relates to new and useful methods for extracting beneficial substances from banana peels. Specifically, the invention is directed to a simplified extraction method which releases rare and unexpected compounds from the peel of a ripened banana. In one embodiment, banana peels are combined with 70% isopropyl alcohol, and blended into a slurry. The slurry is left to react for a period of time wherein a yellow supernatant forms at the top. This yellow supernatant changes to amber and then to an opaque black as the reaction proceeds. The entire slurry is then filtered and any solid material is discarded. Another filtration step yields the banana extract of the present invention. Alternatively, unripened banana peels may be utilized in accordance with the method of the present invention. Unripened banana peels necessitate an additional step at the reaction stage: a base, such as sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate, is added to the slurry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Extraction processes have been performed to extract banana essence from the otherwise discarded peel. In the conventional process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,709 by Sole, the yellow outer layer of the peel must be separated from the white inner layer including the white inner fibrils connecting the peel to the pulp. After separation, this white inner layer is digested with an enzyme to cause it to evolve into liquid and solid portions. During digestion, volatile components comprising banana essence are recovered by suction and condensation. In contrast, the present invention is directed to the discovery that a simplified method of extraction from the peel of a banana provides new and useful compositions, without the extensive separation and enzyme digestion required by the conventional process. Specifically, certain rare and unexpected components are released from the banana peel in the form of an extract. The extract, when used for medicinal purposes is found to have the properties of an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, and a smooth muscle relaxant. The extract also has been found to absorb ultraviolet light. It has also been useful in the treatment of sunburn when applied in the form of an ointment. A preferred method in accordance with the present invention includes the following steps. First, banana peels are obtained such as by removing them from the banana fruit. It is preferable that the bananas are significantly ripe or "oxidized," e.g., the banana peels are brown, or even black. The stems are preferably removed and the peels are washed in water. Next, the peels are coarsely chopped and placed in a solvent. 70% isopropyl alcohol, at a preferred ratio of approximately 1 gram of peel per about 4.5 ml of isopropyl alcohol is preferred. Alternatively, other alcohols, preferably in aqueous solution, can be utilized in place of the isopropyl alcohol. By way of illustration only, examples of alternative alcohol solvents include ethanol, propanol, or methanol in a peel to solvent ratio substantially similar to that of the 70% isopropyl alcohol. The entire mixture is homogenized in a blender. The homogenized mixture, or "slurry," is then transferred to a reaction tank. Preferably, the surface of the reaction tank is left indirectly open to allow air on the liquid surface. The slurry is agitated periodically to disrupt any separation of the masticated peel from the isopropyl alcohol solvent. Agitation of the slurry is preferably performed by using a magnetic stir bar at the bottom of the reaction tank, by mixing the slurry with impellers, pumps, a mixing paddle, or by any other suitable manner which will expose the masticated peel to the solvent. The slurry is left at room temperature and allowed to react for at least about 3 hours to about 48 hours or more. During the reaction time, the peel will settle and a yellow supernatant will appear at the top of the reaction tank. As the reaction continues, this yellow transparent liquid turns from yellow to amber to an opaque black liquid, which serves as an indicator that the reaction is substantially complete. After completion of the reaction step, the entire slurry is then grossly filtered through screen mesh. The solid material collected in the screen mesh is discarded. The filtrate is further filtered through paper basket filters. Alternatively, the filtrate is filtered through flat paper filters supported by screen mesh. Preferably pressure, such as in the form of pneumatic or mechanical pressure, is applied to obtain the last remnants of the extract from the filter. A sample is tested in a spectrophotometer at 370 nm using 70% isopropyl alcohol, or the solvent utilized in the extraction method, as the zero blank. The preferred optical density of the sample has been discovered to be about 2.0. At this optical density, it has been demonstrated that certain medicinal activity is maximized. The precise medicinal activity provided by an extract composition produced in accordance with the present invention will be illustrated in the examples to follow hereinbelow. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the extraction method is performed with the use of non-ripe banana peels, which necessitates the additional step of adding a highly basic solution to the mixture of isopropyl alcohol and banana peel. In one embodiment, food grade sodium bicarbonate is added at about 3-10 grams per 100 ml of isopropyl alcohol used. Alternatively, sodium hydroxide is used in place of the sodium bicarbonate. It should be appreciated that other bases may be used in accordance with the method of the present invention. An indicator that the base is working is when yellow supernatant changes from clear yellow to opaque black. The use of an added base to obtain a basic pH is not necessary if the banana peels are brown or black as in the case of over-ripe bananas. It has also been shown by the investigations associated with the present invention that the use of an acid, such as acetic acid, delays natural oxidation. In turn, there is no appearance of the extract components and thus no appreciable medicinally active material in an acidic solution. In fact, the extraction process can be controlled by manipulating the pH. In acidic solutions, even ripened banana peels may not produce medicinally active extracts. And in highly basic solutions, the rate at which the extract reaches an optical density of about 2.0 at 370 nm, and thus maximized medicinal activity, can be increased. Thus, reaction times of less than about 3 hours are achieved in highly basic solution. In the investigations associated with the present invention, extensive spectrophotometric tests were performed to arrive at the preferred optical density described above. The tests were performed in an ultimately successful attempt to discover a means to detect the presence of active components in the banana peel extract. See, e.g., Examples A and B, below. Further, studies were performed to determine the acid-base relationship of the extract as detailed in Example C, below. Characterization of the components of the extract was also performed, the results of which are detailed in Example D and Table 3, below. |
| PATENT EXAMPLES | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT PHOTOCOPY | Available on request |
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