Process for the removal of sterol compounds and saturated fatty acids
AssigneeNabisco Brands, Inc.
InventorsAlbert K. Athnasios, Gareth J. Templeman
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Abstract
Sterol compounds, especially cholesterol, are removed from fluid mixtures by contacting the mixture with charcoal which has been activated by heating to at least 110.degree. C., and preferably about 130.degree. C., in a stream of an oxygen-containing gas, which can be air. More than 90 percent of the sterol compounds present in the fluid mixture can be removed. The charcoal also removes part of the saturated fatty acids (especially stearic acid), but does not remove a substantial proportion of any unsaturated fatty acids which may be present in the mixture. The process is especially useful for the removal of cholesterol and reduction of stearic acid from butter oil, which contains large amounts of both materials.
Claims43
A process for the removal of at least one sterol compound and at least one saturated fatty acid from a fluid, which process comprises contacting the fluid with an activated charcoal, the activated charcoal having been produced by heating charcoal to a temperature of about 110.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. for a period of at least about 12 hours.
A process for the removal from a fluid containing at least one sterol compound, at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one unsaturated fatty acid, of major proportion of the sterol compounds and part of the saturated fatty acid without removal of a major proportion of the unsaturated fatty acid, which process comprises contacting the fluid with an activated charcoal, the activated charcoal having been produced by heating charcoal to a temperature of about 110.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. for a period of at least about 12 hours.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.