Removal of sterols from fats and oils
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorDharma R. Kodali
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method for reducing the sterol, for example cholesterol, content of sterol-containing substances such as fats and oils. The method provides an efficient and cost effective process based on the affinity of cholesterol and other sterols for amphipathic molecules that form hydrophobic, fluid bilayers, such as phospholipid bilayers. Aggregates of amphipathic molecules are contacted with, for example, a sterol-containing fat or oil in an aqueous environment and then mixed. Following adequate mixing, the sterol-reduced fat or oil is separated from the aqueous separation mixture. Alternatively, the correspondingly sterol-enriched fraction also may be isolated from the aqueous separation mixture.
Claims20
A method of reducing the sterol content of a fat/oil product, comprising
- a) contacting said fat/oil product with a preparation comprising aggregates of amphipathic molecules to form an aqueous separation mixture;
- b) mixing said aqueous separation mixture for a time sufficient to selectively reduce said sterol content of said fat/oil product;
- and
- c) separating said sterol-reduced fat/oil from said aqueous separation mixture.
A method for obtaining sterol-enriched phospholipid, comprising
- a) contacting a sterol-containing fat/oil product with a preparation of phospholipid aggregate to form an aqueous separation mixture, wherein said phospholipid is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline, 1-stearoyl, 2-oleoyl phosphatidyl choline, 1-stearoyl, 2-hydroxy phosphatidyl choline, 1-oleoyl, 2-hydroxy phosphatidyl choline, and 1,2-dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine;
- b) mixing said aqueous separation mixture for a time sufficient to sequester at least a portion of said sterol from said fat/oil product into said aggregated phospholipid;
- and
- c) separating said sterol-enriched phospholipid from said aqueous separation mixture.
A method of enhancing the nutraceutical value of a fish oil having cholesterol and essential omega-3 fatty acids, comprising
- a) contacting said fish oil with a preparation comprising aggregates of amphipathic molecules to form an aqueous separation mixture;
- b) mixing said aqueous separation mixture for a time sufficient to selectively reduce said cholesterol content of said fish oil while maintaining said omega-3 fatty acids;
- and
- c) separating said cholesterol-reduced fish oil from said aqueous separation mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.