Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the extraction of all unsaponifiable fraction contained in a vegetable oil, an oil originating from a micro-organism or a vegetable butter or in a co-product from the vegetable oil refining industry, such as deodorization discharge. The method includes at least: A) a step comprising the transformation of the aforementioned oils, butter or co-product from the vegetable oil refining industry or oils originating from micro-organisms into a hydro-alcoholic solution by means of, in particular, a step selected from saponification and esterification steps; B) a step comprising the extraction of the hydro-alcoholic solution in which the fatty fraction is separated from the unsaponifiable fraction by means of liquid/liquid extraction; and C) an optional step comprising the purification of the unsaponifiable fraction, selected from the group containing crystallization and liquid/liquid extraction steps.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of desired compound(s) from a microbial biomass is disclosed, wherein the microbial biomass (which, if necessary, is pretreated to give a dry matter content of from 25 to 80%) is granulated (e.g. by extrusion) and then dried to a dry matter content of at least 80%. The granulation of the biomass to granules significantly eases subsequent drying of the biomass (which can be stored as dried granules) and gives higher yields on extraction of the compound(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the selective extraction of monoglycerides present in a fraction of fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAEs), comprising at least one stage of liquid-liquid extraction by means of a polar solvent (PS) comprising a light alcohol and optionally of a nonpolar solvent (NS) comprising a solvent which is immiscible with the light alcohol. The present invention relates in particular to a fraction of fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAEs) of vegetable or animal origin, used in particular in biodiesels, capable of being obtained according to the process of the invention, so that its content of monoglycerides is less than 0.6%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the selective extraction of functionalised fatty acid esters from seeds of oleaginous plants, wherein said method includes: a) at least one step of extracting fatty acid esters that comprises simultaneously feeding into a reactor containing said seeds a light anhydrous alcohol, a basic catalyst and an extraction solvent non-miscible with said light alcohol and in which said functionalised fatty ester is not soluble in order to obtain a mixture of esters and glycerol; b) and at least one step of selectively extracting hydroxylated fatty acid esters by feeding into the reactor said extraction solvent in a backflush direction relative to the light alcohol in order to obtain an alcohol phase enriched with fatty acid esters, a glycerol phase and a cake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of lipid material originating from biological material. In the method the lipid material comprising acylglycerols and phosphorus impurities and at least one added nonpolar solvent and at least one added polar solvent is provided into a reaction zone whereby at least a two phase system comprising a nonpolar phase and a polar phase is formed. The phase system is heated in the closed reaction zone under mixing at a temperature from 150° C. to 300° C. and at a pressure wherein said solvents are in subcritical state, preferably of below 100 bar, dependent on the vapor pressure of the selected solvents, until the phosphorus impurity is removed from the polar phase. Subsequently, the nonpolar phase including the purified oil comprising acylglycerols is separated and recovered from said phase system.

Abstract: A process for recovering, purifying and enriching hydroxy fatty acids from source oils. The process source oil comprises the steps of: (a) methylating the source oil to form therein hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters and non-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters; (b) separating the hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters from the non-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters with an organic solvent mixture comprising a pentane/hexane and a short-chain alcohol; and (c) separately recovering the hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters and the non-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters from the organic solvent mixture. Hydroxy fatty acids that can be recovered, purified and enriched with the process include ricinoleic acid, densipolic acid, lesquerolic acid, and auricolic acid. The non-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters can be recovered, purified and further processed into biodiesel fuels and/or lubricants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the solid/liquid extraction of an oil or butter, particularly having a high unsaponifiable content, contained in at least one solid vegetable matter or a micro-organism. The method includes at least the following steps: solid/liquid extraction of at least one solid vegetable matter or a micro-organism using a first solvent system comprising a concentration of solvent selected from among fluorinated aromatic solvents, particularly trifluorotoluene (BTF) and hexafluorobenzene (BHF), tert-butyl ethers, particularly 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropane, also known as ethyl-tert-butyl-ether (ETBE), and 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane or methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE), solvents comprising at least one silicon atom, particularly hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS) and tetramethylsilane (TMS), methyl-tetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), and mixtures thereof, representing at least 50 vol.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that stearin fats, obtainable by dry or solvent fractionation of sunflower high-stearic and high-oleic oils, optionally with seeding with tempered stearin crystals, have a high solid fat content at temperatures higher than 30° C., even higher than cocoa butter or other high saturated tropical fats with a similar disaturated triacylglycerol content due to the presence of disaturated triacylgiycerols rich in stearic acid, and improved melting point due to the presence of arachidic and behenic acids in these disaturated triacylgiycerols, being at the same time healthier that actual fats made from palm, palm kernel and coconut oils, or hydrogenated and trasesterified vegetable oils.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a continuous material extraction system for continuously extracting valuable components in the material by means of a solvent, the system comprising: an extraction tank which is a sealed container being substantially parallelepiped, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the extraction tank, the extraction tank has a first end at which a material inlet is provided, and a second end, and a material outlet is provided at the first end or the second end; the upper portion of said extraction tank is provided with a solvent inlet, and the lower portion of said extraction tank is provided with a solution outlet; in the longitudinal direction of said extraction tank, the lower portion of said extraction tank is provided with an extraction bath which is applied for accommodating the solvent and the material, wherein in the longitudinal direction of said extraction tank said extraction bath is provided with a material conveying mechanism and an ultrasonic generator.

Abstract: Lipids can be extracted from a microbial biomass that constitutes at least 20% lipids by weight and has a moisture content of less than 4% by weight by applying pressure to the biomass so as to release lipids therefrom, thereby leaving a biomass of reduced lipid content; and collecting the lipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of lipid material originating from biological material. In the method the lipid material comprising acylglycerols and phosphorus impurities and at least one added nonpolar solvent and at least one added polar solvent is provided into a reaction zone whereby at least a two phase system comprising a nonpolar phase and a polar phase is formed. The phase system is heated in the closed reaction zone under mixing at a temperature from 150° C. to 300° C. and at a pressure wherein said solvents are in subcritical state, preferably of below 100 bar, dependent on the vapor pressure of the selected solvents, until the phosphorus impurity is removed from the polar phase. Sub-sequently, the nonpolar phase including the purified oil comprising acylglycerols is separated and recovered from said phase system.

Abstract: A method for recovering lipids from microbial biomass, the method including providing wet microbial biomass which contains lipids to extraction without disrupting the biomass cell walls, and subsequently, extracting the wet microbial biomass with a liquid extractant at elevated temperature of at least 170° C. and elevated pressure. The combination of the temperature and pressure is such that the lipids in the cells are contacted with the extractant. Subsequently the extracted lipids are recovered from or with the extractant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovery of lipids from microbial biomass, including providing wet microbial biomass to thermal pretreatment of at least 100° C. in a pressure vessel, subjecting the thermally pretreated microbial biomass to extraction using a liquid hydrocarbon as an extractant, and subsequently, recovering a product containing lipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for extracting fatty acids from aqueous biomass in a membrane contactor module. The present invention also relates to an integrated process combining biomass concentration and/or diafiltration and fatty acid extraction in said membrane contactor module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for extracting organic molecules and/or organic minerals from a limestone material, including placing said limestone material in contact with a solution including at least one organic solvent, water and at least one acid, as well as to the organic molecules and/or organic minerals produced by the method. The products produced by the method can be used, for example, in therapeutic and non-therapeutic fields, in particular the agri-food, cosmetic and medical fields.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for extracting usaponifiable matters from a vegetable oil comprising at least a saponification step whereby the oil is transformed into a hydro alcoholic solution, a step for extracting the hydro alcoholic solution with a organic solvent such as chloro-1-butane, preferably the treated vegetable oil is avocado or soya oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of refined hard sugarcane wax having improved qualities from press mud which comprises digesting press mud with a non polar solvent in the presence of activated charcoal and separating the sugarcane wax from the residue.

Abstract: 9,11- Diene C18 fatty acid cannot be separated from 10,12-Diene C18 fatty acid by conventional rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. 9,11-Diene C18 fatty acid can be readily separated from 10,12-Diene fatty acid by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are propyl formate, butyl ether, methyl pivalate and cyclopentanone.

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.

Abstract: Described is a process for removing glycerol and/or diglycerol from glycerides and glyceride mixtures by extraction, which process is characterized in that the glyceride or glyceride mixture is dissolved in organic compounds which preferably contain carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, if desired in combination with hydrocarbons, and that glycerol is extracted from the resulting solution with the aid of water. Thereby glycerol concentrations in the material to be purified of 0.1 weight % or lower may be obtained in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering monoglycerides and optionally diglycerides and/or triglycerides as well as optionally glycerol from mixtures comprising glycerides and glycerol containing glycerides, respectively, by countercurrent extraction with a circulating extraction. As an extractant, forming a separate phase, there is used a hydrocarbon having a density of more than 180 kg/m.sup.3 and/or trifluoromethane having a density of more than 180 kg/m.sup.3.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extractive separation method in which a solute contained in a medium can be efficiently extracted and separated with a lower consumption of energy under the remarkably gentle operating conditions. This method consists in that a medium containing a solute consisting of organic substances is brought into contact with a solvent consisting of organic substances or inorganic substances, which have the critical temperature of 5.degree. to 152.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid esters from crude fish oils, by means of transesterification with ethanol and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and two-step molecular distillation.

Abstract: Described is a process for the recovery of monoglycerides and diglycerides from a mixture containing monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides by extraction with a supercritical extractant which comprises specific cosolvents. After the separation of the monoglycerides as bottom product in the separation column, the extract consisting of diglycerides and triglycerides is separated into diglycerides and triglycerides by fractionated pressure decrease and change of temperature in two consecutive regeneration columns. A portion of the product obtained in the first regeneration column is fed as reflux to the head of the separation column, and a portion of the product, obtained in the second regeneration column, is fed as reflux to the head of the first regeneration column for an improved separation.