Novel method for isolation of major phenolic constituents from cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut shell liquid

Commercially available cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut shell liquid (CNSL) mainly contains the phenolic constituents anacardic acid, cardol, an d cardanol. These phenolic constituents are themselves heterogeneous, and e ach of them contains saturated, monoene, diene, and trienes in the fifteen- carbon side chain. This communication describes the separation of anacardic acid, cardol, and cardanol for industrial application. Anacardic acid was selectively isolated as calcium anacardate. The acid-free CNSL was treated with liquor ammonia and extracted with hexane/ethyl acetate (98: 2) to sepa rate the mono phenolic component, cardanol. Subsequently, ammonia solution was extracted with ethyl acetate/hexane (80:20) to obtain cardol.