METHOD OF MALTOL PRODUCTION Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: chemical-pharmaceutical industry. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to production of maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-γ-pyrone) from Siberian fir coniferous needles (Abies sibirica L.). Maltol relates to the group of natural pyrones and used in pharmaceutical industry as a therapeutic agent against obesity and aging and against pathogens of extra dangerous infections and in food and perfume industry as an antioxidant and aroma stabilizing agent also. Invention describes the improved method of preparing high purity maltol. Efficiency of extraction is increased by two-fold extraction with hot water after treatment of fir coniferous needles with carbon dioxide at 20-60 C under increased pressure 40-60 atm for 2-6 h. Treatment with hot water is carried out at 90-95 C for 2 days followed by concentrating an aqueous extract by its treatment with diethyl ether and extraction with chloroform. This method provides to increase the yield of maltol by 1.5-fold and obtain maltol of high purity (99%) based on preliminary extraction before sublimation of crude maltol with diethyl ether. EFFECT: improved method of production, increased yield, enhanced purity. 4 ex