Process for dewaxing citrus oils

Abstract

A process for transforming and removing latent sediment-forming components from citrus oils to supplement a dewaxing process for the citrus oils. Psoralen epoxides in citrus oils are converted to diols in an accelerated and controlled manner. The epoxide-to-diol transformation is effected by mixing citrus oil with an aqueous acidic treatment solution under conditions (i.e., solution pH and volume) and for a sufficient period of time to convert substantially all of the psoralen epoxides. The diols formed thereby are precipitated and/or preferentially dissolved in the aqueous phase during mixing. Upon separation of the aqueous phase from the oil, the citrus oil is substantially free of psoralen epoxides. By this method, epoxides are inexpensively eliminated from the citrus oils, resulting in an improved product having, for example, reduced sedimentation potential and reduced phototoxicity.

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