Hydrate crystals

Abstract

New (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals characterized by having specific characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks provide general-purpose, stable, and safe monatin sodium salt crystals incorporating no organic solvent. These crystal may be prepared by a method that requires no organic solvent in the crystallization, separation, and drying steps. These crystal are useful as sweeteners and for the preparation of orally consumed products, such as foods, beverages, pharmaceutical products, topical pharmaceutical products, and feeds containing general-purpose, stable, and safe monatin sodium salt crystals.

1 . (2R,4R) Monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals, having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction (2θ±0.2°, CuKα) of either:
 group (A) 7.7°, 10.9°, 16.7°, and 17.0°; or 
 group (B) 4.7°, 12.4°, 18.8°, and 22.6°. 
 
     
     
         2 . Monatin crystals, having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction (2θ±0.2°, CuKα) of either:
 group (A) 7.7°, 10.9°, 16.7°, and 17.0° or 
 group (B) 43°, 12.4°, 18.8°, and 22.6°. 
 
     
     
         3 . Monatin crystals, which comprise (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 2 , wheerin the enantiomer excess rate of the (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals is 10 to 100% ee. 
     
     
         5 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 2 , wherein the diastereomer excess rate of the (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals is 10 to 100% de. 
     
     
         6 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 2 , wherein the sweetness intensity thereof is 200-fold or more that of a 5 percent sucrose aqueous solution. 
     
     
         7 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 2 , wherein the chemical purity thereof is 50 to 100 weight percent. 
     
     
         8 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 3 , wherein the enantiomer excess rate of the (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals is 10 to 100% ee. 
     
     
         9 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 3 , wherein the diastereomer excess rate of the (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals is 10 to 100% de. 
     
     
         10 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 3 , wherein the sweetness intensity thereof is 200-fold or more that of a 5 percent sucrose aqueous solution. 
     
     
         11 . The monatin crystals according to  claim 3 , wherein the chemical purity thereof is 50 to 100 weight percent. 
     
     
         12 . An orally consumed product, comprising (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . An orally consumed product, comprising monatin crystals according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for making an orally consumed product, comprising adding (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals according to  claim 1  to at least one ingredient for an orally consumed product. 
     
     
         15 . A method for making an orally consumed product, comprising adding (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals according to  claim 2  to at least one ingredient for an orally consumed product. 
     
     
         16 . A method for making (2R,4R) Monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals, having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction (2θ±0.2°, CuKα) of 7.7°, 10.9°, 16.7°, and 17.0°, said method comprising:
 allowing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt to stand or subjecting it to stirring precipitation to obtain said crystals. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method for making (2R,4R) Monatin monosodium salt hydrate crystals, having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at angles of diffraction (2θ±0.2°, CuKα) of 4,7°, 12.4°, 18.8°, and 22.6°, said method comprising:
 concentrating an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of (2R,4R) monatin monosodium salt, to obtain a concentrated solution; 
 introducing a water-miscible solvent into said concentrated solution, to obtain a mixture; and 
 allowing said mixture to stand or inducing crystallization by stirring.