GB747808A - Improved method for the preparation of hormone materials and hormone materials so produced - Google Patents

Abstract

Adrenocorticotropin and oxytocin are recovered from the same batch of pituitary material e.g. hog pituitaries, by extraction with an aqueous acidified acetone solution of pH below 4 e.g. using a strong mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, and containing 50 to 85 per cent by volume of acetone. The acetone concentration of the extract is adjusted to between 86 and 95 per cent to precipitate the adrenocorticotropin and the separated supernatent phase is distilled under reduced pressure to remove the bulk of acetone e.g. to a concentration of less than five per cent, thus obtaining a concentrated aqueous solution of oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin may be separated from vasopressin by extraction e.g. by counter-current contact, with butanol or any isomer thereof, after adjusting the pH to between 2 and 4,5 e.g. by addition of sodium or potassium hydroxide. The oxytocin may be recovered from the butanol phase by extraction with aqueous acetic acid e.g. 0,25 per cent acetic acid, to yield an acidified aqueous oxytocin solution which may be sterilized by passage through a Seitz filter. The butanol solution may be prepared for the acetic acid extraction by washing with a suitable buffer e.g. 2M phosphate buffer, until neutral and then drying with a suitable agent e.g. anhydrous sodium sulphate.