| abstract |
The present invention provides an easily operated, industrially advantageous method for the production of crocetin. In more detail, the present invention relates to a method for the purification of crocetin, which comprises treating crocetin obtained by hydrolysis of crocin, which exists in a plant extract, with lower alcohol or a mixed solvent containing 50% by volume or more of lower alcohol and removing a soluble component in the solvent. The present invention also relates to a method for the purification of crocetin, which comprises dissolving crocetin obtained by hydrolysis of crocin, which exists in a plant extract, into an aprotic solvent which can crystallize crocetin and crystallizing crocetin from the solvent. The present invention makes it possible to efficiently prepare a desired purified crocetin of high purity. The purified crocetin is useful as a pharmaceutical composition, cosmetic product or skin cosmetics and can be used as an additive in food and health food. |