Method of isolating stone cells
View Patent ↗A method for isolating stone cells and stone cell clusters from fruit. A puree of a stone cell-containing fruit is treated to provide a chemically induced separation of fibrous fruit pulp from stone cells and stone cell clusters. The method provides free-flowing stone cell powder for use as a mild abrasive.
1. A method for the isolation of stone cells from a fruit, the method comprising:
providing a puree of a stone cell-containing fruit;
treating the fruit puree to provide a chemically induced separation of stone cells and stone cell clusters from the pulp of the fruit, wherein said treating step comprises providing a basic compound to the fruit puree to provide a highly basic environment and heating the fruit puree in the highly basic environment;
washing the stone cells and stone cell clusters to remove any remaining fruit pulp;
and drying the washed stone cell clusters.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fruit is selected from the group consisting of pear, quince, guava, and sapota.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the basic compound is sodium hydroxide.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the washing step includes washing the stone cells with isopropyl alcohol.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treating step further comprises providing a buffer system to the fruit puree before the addition of the basic compound.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the buffer system comprises citric acid and diammonium citrate.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the treating step further comprises providing at least one enzyme to the fruit puree before the addition of the basic compound.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one enzyme is a pectinase.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the washing step comprises providing a wash water to the stone cells and decanting off the wash water.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the washing step further comprises washing the stone cells with isopropyl alcohol.
11. A method for forming a stone cell powder, the method comprising:
providing a puree of a stone cell-containing fruit;
providing a basic compound to the fruit puree to form a mixture;
heating the mixture to provide a chemically induced separation of stone cells and stone cell clusters from the pulp of the fruit;
washing the stone cells and stone cell clusters to remove any remaining fruit pulp; and
drying the washed stone cells and stone cell clusters to provide a free-flowing stone cell powder.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing at least one enzyme to the fruit puree.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of providing at least one enzyme takes place before the step of providing a basic compound.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of providing at least one enzyme takes place after the step of providing a basic compound.
15. A method of forming an exfoliating cream, the method comprising:
providing a puree of a stone cell-containing fruit;
treating the fruit puree to provide a chemically induced separation of stone cells and stone cell clusters from the pulp of the fruit, wherein said treating step comprises providing a basic compound to the fruit puree to provide a highly basic environment and heating the fruit puree in the highly basic environment;
washing the stone cells and stone cell clusters to remove any remaining fruit pulp;
drying the washed stone cells and stone cell clusters to provide a free-flowing stone cell powder;
and providing the stone cell powder to a base cream.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the treating step further comprises providing a buffer system to the fruit puree before the addition of the basic compound.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the treating step further comprises providing at least one enzyme to the fruit puree before the addition of the basic compound.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one enzyme is a pectinase.