Methods for the preparation of polyol esters that are light in color

A process of producing a monoester mixture comprising, combining a distilled fatty acid C1-5 alkyl ester of a polyunsaturated vegetable oil containing less than about 2 percent C18:3 or higher polyunsaturated fatty acids with propylene glycol in the presence of a catalyst and borohydride to produce a monoester mixture having a Lovibond color below about 0.6 Red and below about 1.5 Yellow.

A process of producing a polyol monoester mixture comprising:

• a. combining a distilled fatty acid C1-5 alkyl ester, wherein said C1-5 alkyl ester is derived from a vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of genetically modified oil, soybean oil, linseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, olive oil, tall oil, safflower oil and derivatives and mixtures thereof, with a polyol in the presence of a catalyst and borohydride, and
• b. heating said combined fatty acid C1-5 alkyl ester and polyol in the presence of said catalyst and borohydride, thereby producing a polyol monoester mixture having a Lovibond color below about 0.6 Red and below about 1.5 Yellow;
• wherein a decoloration step selected from the group consisting of carbon treatment and bleaching is not performed to produce said monoester mixture.