PRODUCTION METHOD AND PRODUCTION APPARATUS FOR A HIGH THEOBROMINE-CONTAINING COMPOSITION

1 - 12 . (canceled)

13 . A method for producing a theobromine-containing composition, comprising the following steps:

(a) performing an extraction of a theobromine-containing plant or a processed product thereof with a solvent, to obtain a crude theobromine extract;

(b) applying the crude theobromine extract to a cation exchange resin subjected in advance to hydrogen ion substitution, to allow an adsorption of theobromine onto the cation exchange resin; and

(c) passing a solvent containing no ionic substance through the cation exchange resin subsequently to the step (b), to obtain a theobromine eluate.

14 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the solvent containing no ionic substance is a solution of an organic solvent in water, or deionized water in the step (c).

15 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step (c) comprises the steps: (c1) passing a first solvent therethrough; and (c2) passing a second solvent therethrough subsequently to the step (c1).

16 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step (c) comprises the steps: (c1) passing a first solvent therethrough; and (c2) passing a second solvent therethrough subsequently to the step (c1), wherein the second solvent is a 30-95% by weight aqueous ethanol solution.

17 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step (c) comprises the steps: (c1) passing a first solvent therethrough; and (c2) passing a second solvent therethrough subsequently to the step (c1), wherein the second solvent is deionized water having a temperature of 40 to 100° C.

18 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step (c) comprises the steps: (c1) passing a first solvent therethrough; and (c2) passing a second solvent therethrough subsequently to the step (c1), wherein the first solvent is deionized water having a temperature of 35° C. or lower.

19 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the solvent used for the extraction is a 0-80% by weight aqueous ethanol solution in the step (a).

20 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the theobromine-containing plant is a cacao.

21 . The producing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step (b) is performed by filling the cation exchange resin into a column and passing the crude theobromine extract at a flow rate SV of 2 to 10 therethrough.

22 . The producing method according to claim 13 , further comprises a step (d) concentrating or drying the theobromine eluate obtained in the step (c).

23 . A theobromine-containing composition yielded by the producing method according to claim 13 .

24 . An apparatus for producing a theobromine-containing composition from a theobromine-containing plant or a processed product thereof, comprising:

an extraction section having a means for obtaining a crude theobromine extract from a theobromine-containing plant or a processed product thereof;

a purification section having a means for obtaining a theobromine eluate by applying the crude theobromine extract transferred through a means for transferring from the extraction section to a cation exchange resin subjected in advance to hydrogen ion substitution; and

a recovery section having a means for concentrating or drying the theobromine eluate transferred through the means for transferring from the purification section.

25 . A method for producing a theobromine-containing composition, comprising the following steps:

(a) performing an extraction of cacao or a processed product thereof with a solvent, to obtain a crude theobromine extract;

(b) applying the crude theobromine extract to a cation exchange resin subjected in advance to hydrogen ion substitution, to allow an adsorption of theobromine onto the cation exchange resin;

(c1) passing a first solvent containing no ionic substance through the cation exchange resin subsequently to the step (b); and

(c2) passing a second solvent containing no ionic substance therethrough subsequently to the step (c1), to obtain a theobromine eluate.

26 . The producing method according to claim 25 , wherein the second solvent is a 30-95% by weight aqueous ethanol solution or deionized water having a temperature of 40 to 100° C.

27 . The producing method according to claim 25 , wherein the first solvent is deionized water having a temperature of 35° C. or lower.

28 . The producing method according to claim 25 , wherein the solvent used for the extraction is a 0-80% by weight aqueous ethanol solution in the step (a).

29 . The producing method according to claim 25 , further comprises a step (d) concentrating or drying the theobromine eluate obtained in the step (c2).

30 . A theobromine-containing composition yielded by the producing method according to claim 25 .

31 . A method for producing a theobromine-containing composition, comprising the following steps:

(a) performing an extraction of cacao or a processed product thereof with 0-80% by weight aqueous ethanol solution, to obtain a crude theobromine extract;

(b) applying the crude theobromine extract to a cation exchange resin subjected in advance to hydrogen ion substitution, to allow an adsorption of theobromine onto the cation exchange resin;

(c1) passing a first solvent which is deionized water having a temperature of 35° C. or lower through the cation exchange resin subsequently to the step (b);

(c2) passing a second solvent which is 30-95% by weight aqueous ethanol solution or deionized water having a temperature of 40 to 100° C. therethrough subsequently to the step (c1), to obtain a theobromine eluate; and

(d) concentrating or drying the theobromine eluate obtained in the step (c2).

32 . A theobromine-containing composition yielded by the producing method according to claim 31 .