The CT were extracted and purified from LLR according to Terrill et al. (1990) and Terrill et al. (1992). Lyophilized samples
were extracted twice using 700 ml/l acetone containing 1 g/l of ascorbic acid in a shaker for 1 h. Extracted samples were then
centrifuged at 1800
×
g for 10 min at 20 ◦C. The supernatant was filtered, separated with diethyl ether and concentrated in a
rotary evaporator (Büchi Labortechnic, Flawil, Switzerland), after which an equal amount of 400 ml/l methanol was added.
The mixture was then loaded into a column packed with Sephadex LH-20 (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB, Uppsala, Sweden).
Phenolic acids with low molecular weights were eluted first from the column with 400 ml/l methanol, and then CT were
eluted with 800 ml/l acetone. The final elution was concentrated in a rotary evaporator at 40 ◦C in a water bath. The extract
was lyophilized and stored at 4 ◦C until use.