Title of Invention

NOVEL CAROTENOID ESTERS

Abstract

Monoesters, diesters and polyesters are provided wherein both the acid-derived moiety and the alcohol-derived moiety of the esters are carotenoid compounds. The synthetic ester linkage between two or more carotenoids provides new compounds in which the similar and complementary properties of the individual carotenoids are combined. The new all-carotenoid esters may be useful as antioxidants, therapeutic agents, pigmenting ingredients in poultry feed or as coloring agents for fats. The polyesters have the potential to act as molecular wires with unique electrical conductance characteristics. The all-carotenoid esters may be prepared from the esterification of at least one hydroxy carotenoid with at least one carboxylic carotenoid, or via the reaction of the acid chloride of a carboxylic carotenoid with a hydroxy carotenoid. Preferred hydroxy carotenoids include lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin, carotene diol, hydroxy carotene, hydroxylcopene, alloxanthin and dehydrocryptoxanthin. Preferred caroxylic carotenoids include bixin, norbixin, $g(b)-apo-8-carotenoic acid, crocetin, diapocarotenoic acid, carboxylcarotene and azafrin.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 [39 OF 1970] & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See Section 10; rule 13] "NOVEL CAROTENOID ESTERS." r BARLOVENTO INTERNATIONAL, of P.O. Box 296, Imperial Building, Niasbeth Road, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and LUIS W. LEVY, of P.O. Box 17-03-4581, Quito, Ecuador, a Ecuador citizen, The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: 06-06-2007 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The carotenoids are important natural products which are involved in the photosynthetic process of plants. Carotenoids are used as nutritional supplements for animals and humans, as well as in food colorants and cosmetics. Although carotenoids are important for health, animals and humans cannot produce them, and these compounds must thus be obtained through diet from fruits and vegetables. [0004] Several properties of the carotenoids make them important for the health of both animals and humans. For example, these compounds are antioxidants with important quenching effects on free radicals. They protect living tissues against a variety of diseases, either directly or as immunopotentiators. Additionally, carotenoids are involved in gap-junction communication among living cells. Recent epidemiological evidence has suggested an inverse relationship between the consumption of fruits and vegetables with high carotenpid content and the incidence of several types of cancers. Specifically, p-carotene, lutein and lycopene have been shown to exhibit a cancer-prevention effect (M.M. Mathews-Roth, Current Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases (J.D. Nelson and C. Grassi, Eds, Am. Soc. Microbiol., Washington DC:1503-1505(1980)); B. P. Chew et al, Anticancer Research 16:3689-3694 (1996); P.H.Gann et al Cancer Res. 59:1225-1230 (1999)). [0005] Additionally, several carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, have specific functions in the retina of the eye to assure healthy vision in several animal species, including humans (J.D. Landrum et al, Archives Biochem. Biophys. 385(1 ):28^0(2001)). Finally, some carotenoids have pro-vitamin A activity, whereas others control reproduction and fertility, We Claim: 1. An ester comprising at least one alochal-derived moiety and at least one acid-derived moiety, wherein the at least on alcohol-derived moiety comprises a hydroxy carotenoid selected from the group consisting of monohydraoxy carotenoids, dihydroxy carotenoids, and polyhydroxy carotenoids, and wherein the at least one acid-derived moiety comprises a carboxylic carotenoid selected from the group consisting of monocarboxylic carotenoids, dicarboxylic carotenoids, and polycarboxylic carotenoids. 2. The ester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydroxy carotenoid is selected from the group consisting of lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin, carotene diol, hydroxycarotene, hydroxylycopene, alloxanthin and dehydrocryptoxanthin. 3. The ester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carboxylic carotenoid is selected from the group consisting of bixin norbixin, p-apo-8" -carotenoid acid, crocetin, diapocarotenoic acid, carboxylcarotene, and azafrin. Dated this 29th day of July, 2003. (RICHA PANDEY) OF REMFRY AND SAGAR ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANTS

Documents:

742-mumnp-2003-cancelled pages(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-claims(granted)-(06-06-2007).doc

742-mumnp-2003-claims(granted)-(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-correspondence(24-12-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-correspondence(ipo)-(20-12-2006).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 1(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 13(06-04-2005).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 18(16-02-2006).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 2(granted)-(06-06-2007).doc

742-mumnp-2003-form 2(granted)-(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 3(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 3(16-03-2004).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 3(18-11-2003).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 3(29-07-2003).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 5(29-07-2003).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-form 6(06-04-2005).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-petition under rule137(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-petition under rule138(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-power of authority(06-04-2005).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-power of authority(06-06-2007).pdf

742-mumnp-2003-power of authority(21-10-2003).pdf