Process for the production of a sterol-rich composition
OwnerJuha Orte, Hendrik Luttikhedde +2inventors
InventorsJuha Orte, Hendrik Luttikhedde, Ingmar Wester, Jari Ekblom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for the production of a sterol ester-rich composition. A sterol composition, a glyceride composition, a fatty acid alkyl ester and an esterification catalyst are combined to form a reaction mixture. Esterification of sterol(s) takes place in the mixture, providing sterol ester(s). The new process is rapid and has a high level of conversion. The invention also relates to a method for recovering food-grade sterol fatty acid ester(s) from a fat mixture.
Claims29
A process for the production of a sterol fatty acid ester-rich
- composition comprising the steps of:
- (a) combining
- a sterol composition, comprising one or more sterols,
- a fatty acid glyceride composition, comprising fatty acid esters of one or more fatty acids, and
- an esterification catalyst to form a reaction mixture,
- (b) performing esterification of sterol(s) in said reaction mixture to produce a sterol fatty acid ester containing mixture,
- (c) adding a hydrolysation catalyst and an alkylating component to hydrolyse mono-, di- and/or triglycerides present therein and to produce corresponding fatty acid alkyl ester(s) and glycerol, and
- (d) purifying the sterol fatty acid ester containing mixture to form a sterol fatty acid ester-rich composition.
A method for recovering food-grade sterol fatty acid ester(s) from a fat mixture containing fatty acid glycerides and sterol fatty acid ester(s), comprising the steps of:
- (i) adding to said fat mixture a hydrolysation catalyst and an alkylating component to hydrolyse the glycerides and to produce corresponding fatty acid alkyl ester(s), without significant hydrolysation of the sterol fatty acid ester(s),
- (ii) removing excess alkylating component, the hydrolysation catalyst and glycerol,
- (iii) purifying the obtained product by washing with water and/or by an adsorbent treatment or by washing or with an acid aqueous solution and/or by an adsorbent treatment, and
- (iv) purifying the obtained product by deodorisation to remove the fatty acid alkyl ester(s) and impurities and to produce pure sterol fatty acid ester(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.