Abstract: An efficient simulated moving bed device and an efficient simulated moving bed process are provided. The efficient simulated moving bed device comprises an adsorption bed, a raw material feeding system, a desorbent feeding system, a circulating system, an extract system, a raffinate system, a program-controlled valve group, and an automatic control system.

Abstract: A membrane based separation method is for the separation or enrichment of one or more unsaturated compounds from mixtures of chemically similar organic compounds having a different degree of unsaturation, using a membrane, such as an inorganic membrane, functionalized with a metal, such as silver. An inorganic membrane, preferably modified or grafted with an organic functional group, is further functionalized with a metal, such as silver, for use in the membrane based separation methods.

Abstract: A membrane based process separates amines or organic acids from a solution containing at least one amine or at least one organic acid according to their hydrophobic properties. The more hydrophobic amine or organic acid passes the hydrophobic membrane into an acidic aqueous solution, thus selectively removing the amine or organic acid from the first solution. The process is particularly suitable to obtain chiral amines in high yield. A transaminase-catalyzed transamination of an amino donor and amino acceptor is combined with a hydrophobic membrane separation of the produced chiral amine. The selective removal of the chiral amine from the reaction mixture promotes the further transformation of the amino acceptor into the product chiral amine.

Abstract: Recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms that convert inorganic carbon to secreted fatty acids are described. Methods to recover the secreted fatty acids from the culture medium without the need for cell harvesting are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing high-content conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) through purification of vegetable oil includes alcoholysis, purification and isomerization of vegetable oil. Alcoholysis is for preparing corresponding methyl ester or ethyl ester with glyceride; purification of methyl ester or ethyl ester is for obtaining methyl linoleate or ethyl linoleate of content over 85% through silver-based silica gel column chromatography; high-content CLA is obtained after alkali-catalyzed conjugation of methyl linoleate or ethyl linoleate, and CLA products are prepared as needed. This invention changes the status quo of preparing high-content CLA with safflower oil alone, expands sources of CLA, and develops an efficient technology for separation and purification of linoleic acid. The CLA obtained is of high purity and meets applications in pharmaceutical, health care products and other industries.

Abstract: The invention related to a method for purifying a first fatty acid, preferably polyunsaturated, using an initial mixture further comprising at least one second fatty acid, optionally a third fatty acid and optionally a fourth fatty acid, with the method comprising: a first step of chromatographic separation in liquid phase, using the initial mixture, carried out in a first unit for chromatographic separation, making it possible to recover on the one hand a first flow enriched with a first fatty acid and on the other hand a flow enriched with a second fatty acid, optionally, a second step of chromatographic separation in liquid phase, using the first flow enriched with a first fatty acid, carried out in a second chromatographic separation unit, making it possible to recover on the one hand a second flow enriched with a first fatty acid and on the other hand a flow enriched with a third fatty acid; optionally, a third step of chromatographic separation in liquid phase, using the third flow enriched with a fi

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a first fatty acid, in particular a first polyunsaturated fatty acid, using an initial mixture further comprising at least one second fatty acid and a third fatty acid, with the method comprising at least: a first step of chromatographic separation in liquid phase, using the initial mixture, making it possible to recover on the one hand a first flow enriched with a first fatty acid and on the other hand a flow enriched with a second fatty acid; a second step of chromatographic separation in liquid phase, using the first flow enriched with a first fatty acid, making it possible to recover on the one hand a second flow enriched with a first fatty acid and on the other hand a flow enriched with a third fatty acid, with the second step of chromatographic separation being carried out in a static bed chromatographic separation unit.

Abstract: There is provided colloidal silica particles comprising at least one polyvalent metal element M selected from a group consisting of iron, aluminum, zinc, zirconium, titanium, tin, and lead in an average content of 0.001 to 0.02 in terms of an M/Si molar ratio, and having an average primary particle diameter of 5 to 40 nm, wherein the content of the polyvalent metal element M present in an outermost layer of the colloidal particles is 0 to 0.003 atom per square nanometer (nm2) of a surface area of the colloidal particles; and a silica sol that the colloidal silica particles are dispersed in an organic solvent, a silica sol that the colloidal silica particles are dispersed in a polymerizable compound, and a silica sol that the colloidal silica particles are dispersed in a dicarboxylic anhydride.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a first polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from a feed mixture including at least one additional fatty acid (e.g., a second fatty acid (FA)). The process optionally comprises: performing a main step of chromatographic separation using an aqueous organic eluent and collecting a first stream of eluent enriched in the first PUFA and a second stream of eluent enriched in the second FA; subjecting the second stream of eluent to a partial concentration step to obtain a concentrated portion including the second FA, and a depleted portion comprising eluent, but depleted of the second FA. The process also includes: at least partially recycling the depleted portion for use in the main step of chromatographic separation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for extracting and purifying EPA (Eicosapentanoic acid) ethyl ester from a crude fish oil feedstock using a combination of novel esterification and simulated moving bed (SMB) techniques. Crude fish oil diluted in non-polar solvent is esterified with an acid and then transesterified with a base. Following washing, the non-polar phase is directly passed to an SMB zone, comprising a normal phase separation with a hydrophilic stationary phase agent and a non-polar/organic polar mobile phase desorbent to provide an enhanced omega-3 product, comprising EPA. In a further embodiment, the enhanced omega-3 product is passed to a second and third SMB zones operating in reverse phase using a hydrophobic stationary phase and a polar mobile phase desorbent. The process is useful for producing high purity EPA at purities in excess of 97 wt-% which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods combined with conventional SMB configurations.

Abstract: A colloidal dispersion having carrier particles of silica having a particle size from 3 nm to 100 nm to which silver ions have been adsorbed, preferably in an amount of 0.0005-5 silver ions per nm2 of silica particle surface. The surface of the carrier particles of silica suitably contains aluminumsilicate sites. It also relates to a process for making a colloidal dispersion comprising providing a silica sol, adding a solution of silver nitrate to the silica sol under agitation yielding a colloidal dispersion with silver ions adsorbed on the surface of the silica particles. The dispersion is usable as a biocide in e.g. coatings, adhesives and sealants, in surface treatment and impregnation of organic materials, in surface treatment and impregnation of inorganic materials, in textiles, garments and shoes, in medical disposables, in plastics and rubbers, in water and air purification, and in crop protection.

Abstract: A process for flushing the rounded top head and rounded bottom head of a vessel used in an adsorption process in which the rounded top head and the rounded bottom head of the vessel are flushed with a flush fluid. The extract stream from the adsorption process is split into a desorbent rich stream and desorbent lean steam. The flushing fluid is a fraction separated from a desorbent lean split of the extract stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides chromatographic means for separating from a starting lipid mixture a mixture that is enriched in docosapentaenoic acid relative to the starting lipid mixture. The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations and dietary supplements including this enriched lipid formulation, and methods of supplementing docosapentaenoic acid in a subject by administering to the subject the pharmaceutical formulation or the dietary supplement. The invention also provides a method of resolving from the starting lipid mixture a mixture enriched in docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid and depleted in docosapentaenoic acid, and formulations including this mixture (e.g., pharmaceutical formulations and dietary supplements). Also provided are methods of supplementing docosapentaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels in a subject by administering a formulation of the invention to the subject.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a first polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from a feed mixture including at least one additional fatty acid (e.g., a second fatty acid (FA)). The process optionally comprises: performing a main step of chromatographic separation using an aqueous organic eluent and collecting a first stream of eluent enriched in the first PUFA and a second stream of eluent enriched in the second FA; subjecting the second stream of eluent to a concentration step to obtain a concentrated portion including the second FA, and a depleted portion comprising eluent, but depleted of the second FA. The water-to-organic ratio of the depleted portion is lower than the water-to-organic ratio of the second stream of eluent. The process also includes: at least partially recycling the depleted portion for use in the main step of chromatographic separation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) purifying the feed mixture in a first separation step in a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, to obtain an intermediate product; and (ii) purifying the intermediate product obtained in (i) in a second separation step using a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, to obtain the PUFA product; wherein (a) the first and second separation steps are carried out sequentially on the same chromatography apparatus, the intermediate product being recovered between the first and second separation steps and the process conditions in the chromatography apparatus being adjusted between the first an

Abstract: The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product, from a feed mixture, which process comprises introducing the feed mixture to a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of zones comprising at least a first zone and second zone, each zone having an extract stream and a raffinate stream from which liquid can be collected from said plurality of linked chromatography columns, and wherein (a) a raffinate stream containing the PUFA product together with more polar components is collected from a column in the first zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the second zone, and/or (b) an extract stream containing the PUFA product together with less polar components is collected from a column in the second zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the first zone, said PUFA prod

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method, whereby, in the dry fractionation of an oil or fat, a decrease in solid-liquid separation efficiency, said decrease being caused by the engulfment of a filtrate fraction into a crystal fraction after crystallization and press filtration, can be prevented and thus the crystal slurry can be efficiently separated after the crystallization. A method for the dry fractionation of an oil or fat, said method comprising, before or after crystallization, adding a definite amount of a filtration aid followed by mixing and then press-filtering the thus obtained crystal slurry. Thus, the crystal slurry can be easily separated into a crystal fraction with little engulfment of a liquid fraction and the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a polyunsaturated fatty acid derivative comprises contacting a mixture of fatty acid derivatives with a silver salt aqueous solution, and adjusting the free fatty acid content in the silver salt aqueous solution to 0.2 meq or less per gram of silver when repeatedly using the silver salt aqueous solution. A polyunsaturated fatty acid derivative having high purity and excellent quality can thus be economically obtained.

Abstract: A process for extracting lipids from microalgae; the process involves pretreating a quantity of non-homogenized microalgae with an aliphatic alcohol for a predetermined period of time. The pretreatment liberates a substantial portion of lipids from the microalgae without requiring energy intensive cell membrane disruptive technologies. The liberated lipids are then treated with a transesterification reagent to form fatty acid methyl esters. The fatty acid methyl esters are separated from the resulting mixture and may be further purified to remove remaining solvents or other impurities. The fatty acid methyl esters produced by the process are suitable as a green energy biodiesel product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an adsorbent, in particular a bleaching earth, wherein a clay material having: a surface area of 180 to 300 m2/g; a total pore volume of 0.5 to 0.7 ml/l; wherein at least 60% of the total pore volume are provided by pores having a pore diameter of at least 140 A, at least 40% of the total pore volume is provided by pores having a pore diameter of less than 250 A and at least 15% of the total pore volume are provided by pores having a pore diameter of 140 to 250 A; and said clay material having an amorphous structure according to XRD data; is activated by an activation procedure. Further, the invention relates to an adsorbent as obtained by the method and a method for purification of oils, fats and biofuels.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a method of purifying interesterified oils, which is capable of efficiently purifying the interesterified oil through a series of steps effectively solving a problem of decreased oxidation stability of the interesterified oil that is purified and a problem of color tone. [Means for Solution] Water is added and mixed into an interesterified oil of animal/vegetable fat and oil in an amount of 0.30 to 5.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the interesterified oil, followed by dehydration. Thereafter, a decolorizing treatment is conducted by adding an adsorbent thereto, and filtration is conducted to remove soaps, an alkali catalyst and the adsorbent contained in the interesterified oil.

Abstract: Highly pure esterified propoxylated glycerin suitable for use as a fat substitute in various foodstuffs may be efficiently manufactured using a process involving direct esterification of propoxylated glycerin with excess fatty acid, bleaching, deacidification/deodorization, and treatment with activated carbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product, from a feed mixture, which process comprises introducing the feed mixture to a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous alcohol, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of zones comprising at least a first zone and second zone, each zone having an extract stream and a raffinate stream from which liquid can be collected from said plurality of linked chromatography columns, and wherein (a) a raffinate stream containing the PUFA product together with more polar components is collected from a column in the first zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the second zone, and/or (b) an extract stream containing the PUFA product together with less polar components is collected from a column in the second zone and introduced to a nonadjacent column in the first zone, said PUFA product bein

Abstract: Method for improving the performance of a preparative batchwise Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic separation for the recovery of a target fatty acid or derivative thereof, or of a group of target fatty acids or of derivatives thereof from a mixture, characterized in that the said Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic separation employs a chromatographic column charged with a stationary phase chosen from the group consisting of aluminium oxide or aluminium oxides, titanium oxide or titanium oxides, silica gel or silica gels, amino propyl modified silica gels, diol modified silica gels, phenyl modified silica gels and “reversed phase” phases, the former in turn chosen from the group consisting of RP18, RP8 and RP3, and in that the said Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic Separation further employs a mobile phase chosen from the group consisting of ethylene, propane, ammonia, dinitrogen dioxide and CO2, wherein in the said method, during the run of the said mixture on the chromatographic column, a pressure an

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process of DHA enrichment of a solution of fatty acids or derivatives thereof comprising less than 50% of DHA relative to the total fatty acids of the solution or to derivatives thereof, wherein the process comprises the steps of (a) simultaneous countercurrent injection, into a fractionation column, of the flow of the solution of fatty acids or of derivatives thereof and of a flow of supercritical CO2 at a temperature of less than or equal to 70° C. and at a pressure of between 100×105 Pa and 160×105 Pa, wherein the level of supercritical CO2 is between 30 and 70, and (b) recovery of the residue comprising at least 50% of DHA relative to the total fatty acids of the residue or to derivatives thereof, wherein the DHA yield is greater than or equal to 60%.

Abstract: A process for purification of a liquid lipid from a bed of a particulate absorbent, where a supercritical fluid is passed through said bed to release lipids retained on the absorbent. Also apparatus for use in the performance of the process, lipids purified using the process and by-products of the process. The process enables enhanced removal of retained lipids from the particulate absorbent, e.g. removal of plant oils from bleaching clays.

Abstract: Method for improving the performance of a preparative batchwise Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic separation for the recovery of a target fatty acid or derivative thereof, or of a group of target fatty acids or of derivatives thereof from a mixture, characterized in that the said Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic separation employs a chromatographic column charged with a stationary phase chosen from the group consisting of aluminium oxide or aluminium oxides, titanium oxide or titanium oxides, silica gel or silica gels, amino propyl modified silica gels, diol modified silica gels, phenyl modified silica gels and “reversed phase” phases, the former in turn chosen from the group consisting of RP 18, RP8 and RP3, and in that the said Super Critical Fluid Chromatographic Separation further employs a mobile phase chosen from the group consisting of ethylene, propane, ammonia, dinitrogen dioxide and CO2, wherein in the said method, during the run of the said mixture on the chromatographic column, a pressure a

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an adsorbent, in particular a bleaching earth, wherein a clay material having: a surface area of 180 to 300 m2/g; a total pore volume of 0.5 to 0.7 ml/l; wherein at least 60% of the total pore volume are provided by pores having a pore diameter of at least 140 A, at least 40% of the total pore volume is provided by pores having a pore diameter of less than 250 A and at least 15% of the total pore volume are provided by pores having a pore diameter of 140 to 250 A; and said clay material having an amorphous structure according to XRD data; is activated by an activation procedure. Further, the invention relates to an adsorbent as obtained by the method and a method for purification of oils, fats and biofuels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: Physical refining processes using adsorbent particles are disclosed. The physical refining processes may be used in the production of biodiesel fuel precursors and biodiesel fuel.

Abstract: Methods, particles, and devices are disclosed for filtration of oil for use of the oil in the preparation of biodiesel. Disclosed particles may comprise a substantially inert porous particle with a coating comprising a polymer having amine, amino, and/or imine group(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel extraction method for obtaining at least one unsaturated, optionally derivatized compound, from mixtures of said compounds with other less saturated constituents, e.g. for obtaining polyunsaturated fatty acids or the derivatives thereof from mixtures with saturated and/or less unsaturated, optionally derivatized fatty acids, by means of selective complexation with a cation exchanger which is partially or fully charged with silver ions, and subsequent decomplexation.

Abstract: A solid bed adsorptive process for separating a seed oil into two substantially pure triglyceride fractions. The process involves contacting a seed oil, such as castor oil, preferably as a concentrate, with an adsorbent in a bed, the adsorbent having a particle size greater than about 40 microns, and thereafter contacting the adsorbent with a desorbent material, preferably under minimal flow conditions, to obtain a raffinate output stream containing predominantly a second triglyceride and an extract output stream containing predominantly a first triglyceride. Purified fatty acid triglyceride esters obtainable from castor, vernonia, and lesquerella plant oils provide renewable, non-petroleum-based sources of chemical feedstocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying lipoic acid, which comprises adding to a solution of lipoic acid at least 0.1 times the amount of an adsorbent, based on the mass of lipoic acid to be purified, and subsequently removing the adsorbent. It is possible in this way to provide racemic or nonracemic lipoic acid with an oligomer content below 1% by weight, for example from 0.1 to 1% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel extraction method for obtaining at least one unsaturated, optionally derivatised compound, from mixtures of said compounds with other less saturated constituents, e.g. for obtaining polyunsaturated fatty acids or the derivatives thereof from mixtures with saturated and/or less unsaturated, optionally derivatised fatty acids, by means of selective complexation with a cation exchanger which is partially or fully charged with silver ions, and subsequent decomplexation.

Abstract: A method for providing a purified conjugated fatty acid is disclosed. The purified conjugated fatty acid is formed by separating by liquid chromatography a conjugated fatty acid formed by a novel synthesis of reacting an ester of a fatty acid having a four carbon chain such that carbon one bears one hydrogen and one hydroxyl group, carbon two bears two hydrogen atoms, and a double bond is positioned between carbon three and carbon four, with a tosyl chloride or a mesyl chloride to form a tosylate or mesylate of said ester, and reacting the tosylate or mesylate of said ester with diazabicyclo-undecene.

Abstract: A method separating tocotrienols from tocopherols and the isomers thereof on a large-scale or commercially feasible basis. Separation is accomplished using reverse phase partition liquid chromatography. The chromatography column is prepared using a stationary phase comprising a hydrophobic or aromatic reverse phase chromatography media. The mobile phase consists of a solvent which is capable of solubilizing the crude stock, tocotrienols and tocopherols. The chromatography column containing the stationary and mobile phases is loaded with a crude feed stock and the tocotrienols, tocopherols and/or isomers thereof are eluted at a predetermined linear velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining fatty acid esters and fatty acids, preferably unsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters, from biological sources by continuous, combined in-situ extraction, reaction and chromatography. The invention is characterized in that simultaneously and in the same location, in the presence of a compressed gas and an 0.5-5 % stream of lower alcohols as modifiers and in the presence of an inert catalyst, the fatty acids are fully transesterified from their native fatty acid sources, which are selectively desorbed and eluated in the conditions specified above.

Abstract: A process of selectively separating and purifying eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids or the esters thereof from a mixture comprising a highly unsaturated fatty acid or the derivative thereof, which comprises the steps of: flowing an aqueous medium comprising a silver salt through a column filled with a diatomaceous earth to carry the silver salt on the diatomaceous earth; flowing a solvent solution of a mixture comprising the highly unsaturated fatty acid or the derivative thereof through the silver salt-carried diatomaceous earth in the column; and flowing a developing solvent through the column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cost-effective method for purifying and acidifying carboxylic acids, including organic acids and amino acids. The method involves removing impurities by allowing the anionic form of the carboxylic acid to bind to an anion exchange column and washing the column. The carboxylic anion is displaced as carboxylic acid by washing the resin with a strong inorganic anion. This method is effective in removing organic carboxylic acids and amino acids from a variety of industrial sources, including fermentation broths, hydrolysates, and waste streams.

Abstract: A method for providing a purified conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is disclosed. The purified conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is formed by separating by liquid chromatography a 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid formed by a novel synthesis of reacting an ester of ricinoleic acid with a tosyl chloride or a mesyl chloride to form a tosylate or mesylate of an ester of ricinoleic acid, and reacting the tosylate or mesylate of an ester of ricinoleic acid with diazabicyclo-undecene. Reacting an ester of ricinoleic acid with a tosyl chloride or a mesyl chloride to form a tosylate or mesylate of an ester of ricinoleic acid, and reacting the tosylate or mesylate of an ester of ricinoleic acid with diazabicyclo-undecene forms a 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid having a purity greater than 50%, and separating by liquid chromatography forms a 9-cis, 11-trans octadecadienoic acid having a purity greater than 90%. In one aspect, the liquid chromatography uses a strong acid macroreticular ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A process for purifying alkoxylated fats by treatment with a solid substance, wherein a mixture of aluminum oxide and a silicate is employed as solid substance.

Abstract: Silicalite with increased hydrophobicity may be made by steaming silicalite in an atmosphere of at least 10% water vapor at temperatures of 650-850.degree. C. When used as monodisperse spheres with a diameter in the range of 1-20 microns such ultrahydrophobic silicalite is an excellent adsorbent for chromatographic separation of polar materials, including fatty acids, at both the analytical level and preparative level using simulated moving bed techniques.

Abstract: An adsorbent is described based on an inorganic support material with exchangeable mono- and divalent cations, characterized by the fact that the specific surface of the support material is >100 m.sup.2 /g, its cation exchange capacity is>30 mg-equiv/100 g, its pore volume is>0.15 m/g, the pH value of an aqueous suspension of 8 g of support material in 100 mL of H.sub.2 O is<7.5 and that at least 60, preferably at least 70% of the exchangeable mono- and/or divalent cations are exchanged by cations acting as Lewis acids, preferably Al.sup.3 + cations.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of a highly reactive hydrophobic silica capable of lipophilic binding of lipids present in aqueous media, in particular body fluids. The hydrocarbon substituted silica utilized in the first step of this process may be prepared from hydrophilic silica, suitably pyrogenic silica. This is then treated with a volatile hydrocarbon substituted silicon compound. The next step of the process comprises treating the substituted hydrophobic silica with an alcohol. In order to enable the thus produced material to selectively adsorb lipids in the presence of protein, to the substantial non absorption of the proteins (other than lipoproteins), a further step is carried out. This comprises treating with aqueous ammonia or amines wherein substituents on the amine nitrogen may be the same or different.

Abstract: A mixture of fatty acids or their esters derived from natural oils and fats including eicosapentaenoic acids or their derivatives is precision distilled under a high vacuum using a plurality of distillation columns, three distillation columns or more in particular, in order to acquire a fraction consisting mainly of fatty acids of carbon number 20 or their esters, which is then subjected to a column chromatography with a reversed-phase distribution system. Eicosapentaenoic acids or their esters, which is useful for preventing or treating thrombus, with a purity as high as 99% and above and with a recovery rate 55% or above, is produced.

Abstract: A method of refining and manufacturing a fat and oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids which prevents production of peculiar fishy smells when such a fat and oil is added to food materials and while it is stored by preventing oxidation of PUFA's and restraining conversion of odor-emanating precursors into odor-emanating substances. A fat and oil, such as a marine animal oil, containing polyunsaturated fatty acids with 18 or more carbon atoms and three or more double bonds such as EPA and DHA is alkali refined and bleached. The thus alkali refined and bleached fat and oil is refined by bringing 100 parts by weight of it into contact for 10 minutes or more at 5.degree.-80.degree. C. with not less than 0.1 part by weight of powdered or granulated diatomaceous earth formed by calcining with a flux added such as sodium carbonate or sodium chloride. The fat and oil thus obtained is filtered and deodorized by steam distillation under vacuum.

Abstract: A process for recovering edible oil and bleaching clay from an edible oil-bleaching clay waste stream and for recovering edible oil and nickel catalyst from a hydrogenated edible oil-nickel catalyst-filter aid waste stream; the recovered bleaching clay may be reused directly and the recovered nickel catalyst and filter aid mixture is pelletized for metallurgical nickel recovery.

Abstract: A method is taught whereby improved yields of lipid containing molecules, such as gangliosides, are obtained. Involved is the treatment of neural tissue from animals afflicted with GM1 gangliosidosis. Only members of the ovine family, e.g., sheep are so treated.