STUDY OF THE EXTRACTION OF PROANTHOCYANIDINS FROM GRAPE SEEDS

The extraction of proanthocyanidins was studied in the system ethyl ac etate-water-grape seeds. It was found that, in the absence of water, p roanthocyanidins could not be practically extracted, and the increase in water content in the system up to the saturation level resulted in a substantial yield enhancement. It was also shown that ethyl acetate, with 10% of water, is capable of selectively extracting proanthocyani dins, which has not been the case with solvents used previously. This solvent mixture extracts mainly the proanthocyanidins of lower molecul ar masses, which are more important from a therapeutic point of view. A further increase in water content in the extraction system yielded a small increase in the yield of proanthocyanidins, but caused a decrea se in selectivity of the extraction. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.