Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Chromatography
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-01
2001-02-13
Therkorn, Ernest G. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Chromatography
C210S694000, C210S198200, C530S317000, C530S417000, C514S011400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06187203
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method of purification of a fusarium toxin.
Fusarium fungi can infect cereal grains, e.g., corn and animal feeds, e.g., hay, to produce fusarium toxins. Fusarium toxins are carcinogenic and can cause digestive disorders or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important to identify such infected plants before their consumption by animals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the invention features an apparatus for removing impurities from a liquid. The apparatus, e.g., a column, includes an inlet and an outlet for introducing and removing the liquid, respectively. The inlet and the outlet are connected by a flow path. A flow path is the route by which a solvent travels through the apparatus. A layer of activated charcoal and a layer of aluminum oxide are disposed between the inlet and the outlet and in the flow path such that the layer of activated charcoal is closer to the inlet than the layer of aluminum oxide. In other words, the liquid introduced from the inlet flows through the layer of activated charcoal prior to flowing through the layer of aluminum oxide and exiting the outlet. Activated charcoal that has a particle size range of 100-400 mesh and aluminum oxide, e.g., neutral aluminum oxide, that has a particle size range of 70-230 mesh are examples of packing materials, e.g., stationary phase, that can be employed in this invention.
Another aspect of this invention features an apparatus which includes a container having an inlet and an outlet for introducing and removing the liquid, respectively. The inlet and the outlet are connected by a flow path. A layer of activated charcoal and a layer of aluminum oxide are disposed within an interior volume of the container and between the inlet and the outlet such that the liquid introduced from the inlet flows through the layer of activated charcoal prior to flowing through the layer of aluminum oxide and exiting the outlet.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of purifying a fusarium toxin in a solution. The solution can be extracted from an infected source, e.g., a plant. When the source comes from an animal, the toxin is a result of ingestion of fusarium toxin-containing plants. The method includes the steps of passing the solution having a fusarium toxin through an apparatus which contains a layer of activated charcoal and a layer of aluminum oxide such that the solution passes through the layer of activated charcoal prior to the layer of aluminum oxide. As described above, activated charcoal that has a particle size range of 100-400 mesh and aluminum oxide, e.g., neutral aluminum oxide, that has a particle size range of 70-230 mesh can be employed in this method. The fusarium toxin can be verrucarol, scirpentriol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 tetrol, HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, iso-T-2 toxin, nivalenol, fusarenon-X, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, 3,15-diacetyl-DON, 3-acetyl T-2 toxin, 15-acetyl T-2 toxin, 3-hydroxy HT-2 toxin, or dihydronivalenol. The fusarium toxin can be dissolved in an aqueous solution before passing through the activated charcoal and aluminum oxide layers. The aqueous solution can contain organic solvents, e.g., up to 90% (v/v). Some examples of organic solvents are acetonitrile, methanol, or chloroform.
A further aspect of the present invention features a method of purifying a fusarium toxin in a sample including the steps of introducing the sample into an inlet of an apparatus; passing the sample through a layer of activated charcoal within the apparatus; passing the sample through a layer of aluminum oxide within the apparatus; and finally, removing the sample through an outlet of the apparatus.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Other features or advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments, and also from the appending claims.
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Croteau et al., “Analysis of Trichothecene Mycotoxins by Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection” J. Agric. Food Chem., 1994, 42:928-933.
Lauren et al., “Multitoxin Screening Method for Fusarium Mycotoxins in Grains”, J. Agric. Food Chem., 1991, 39:502-507.
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Academia Sinica
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Therkorn Ernest G.
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