Epigallocatechin-3-gallate crystal compositions

1. A composition comprising crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate has an XRPD pattern exhibiting major peaks at about the following positions: 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate contains less than 1 wt. % non-aqueous, non-solvent, non-epicatechin gallate impurities.

3. A process for the preparation of a crystal form of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, wherein said process comprises: dissolving epigallocatechin-3-gallate in a solvent to form a solution, and precipitating crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate from the solution wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate consists essentially of epigallocatechin-3-gallate haying an XRPD pattern exhibiting major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, (ii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5, or (iii) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the solvent comprises acetonitrile.

5. The process of claim 3 wherein the precipitation of said crystal is initiated by adding a second solvent to the solution with or without seeding, evaporating the organic solvent from the solution, heating the solution, or cooling the solution.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the second solvent is dichloromethane.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits XRPD major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5, (ii) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, or (iii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5.

8. A foodstuff comprising crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate, wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits XRPD major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5, (ii) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, or (iii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5.

9. A process for treating a disease or condition resulting from oxidative stress, wherein said method comprises administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a crystal form of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to a person or animal having or predisposed to having a condition resulting from oxidative stress, wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits XRPD major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5, (ii) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, or (iii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5.

10. Crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate with less than a stoichiometric amount of water in isolated form, wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits XRPD major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5, (ii) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, or (iii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5.

11. The crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate of claim 10 wherein the crystal is solvated.

12. A process for improving animal health or nutrition, the process comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate, wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits XRPD major peaks at about the following positions: (i) 13.9, 17.2, 21.2, 23.6, 26.5, 29.0, and 31.5, (ii) 7.1, 7.8, 10.5, 13.0, 15.2, 20.3, 23.5, and 25.9, or (iii) 13.4, 15.4, 19.4, 24.3, 27.8, 28.5, 31.3, and 37.5.

13. The composition of claim 1 wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate contains up to 20 mole % epicatechin gallate.

14. The composition of claim 10 wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate contains up to 20 mole % epicatechin gallate.

15. The composition of claim 11 wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate contains up to 20 mole % epicatechin gallate.

16. The crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate of claim 10 wherein the crystal is non-solvated.

17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the crystalline epigallocatechin-3-gallate contains up to 20 mole % epicatechin gallate.