Method of fractionation of fatty acids with a difference of two carbons by molecular distillation

Abstract

A method for the fractionation of fatty acids with a difference of two carbons by molecular distillation with double pass fractionation between eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, and compositions of microorganism oils enriched in eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid. The method wherein (i) a reaction step between an microorganism oil including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in triglyceride form and an alcohol in the presence of a chemical or enzymatic catalyst, (ii) a first step of molecular distillation under high vacuum of the oil from step (i), in a scraper film evaporator coupled to a rectification column including at least seven theoretical plates, and recovery of a first residue and distillate, (iii) a second step of molecular distillation under high vacuum of the step (ii) residue, in the scraper film evaporator, and recovery of a second residue and distillate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.