Process for producing degummed vegetable oils and gums of high phosphatidic acid content

A process for producing degummed vegetable oils and gums of high phosphatidic content by removing non-hydratable phosphatides and iron from water degummed vegetable oils comprising the following stages:

• (a) in a first stage, finely dispersing a non-toxic aqueous acid in the water degummed oil, the degree of dispersion being at least such that 10 million droplets of said aqueous acid per gram of oil are present and the contact time of said aqueous acid with said water degummed oil being sufficient to complete the decomposition of the metal salts of phosphatidic acid, said acid (1) being one that forms oil-insoluble salts or complexes with the metal ions resulting from the decomposition of said metal salts and (2) having a strength and concentration such that the pH of the acid solution effects essentially complete decomposition of said metal salts,
• (b) in a second stage, mixing a base into the acid-in-oil dispersion in such quantity that the pH of the aqueous phase is increased to above 2.5 without any substantial amount of soap being produced;
• and
• (c) in a third stage, separating the dispersion into an aqueous phase containing said gums and an oil phase consisting of acid oil, said oil phase optionally being washed with water.