Abstract: Methods for acidification of soapstock and recovery of acidulated fatty acids are disclosed. Further methods of conversion of the acidulated fatty acids to esters are also disclosed. Further methods of crystallizing the acidulated fatty acids from the extraction solvent at low temperatures and fractionating the acidulated fatty acids from the extraction solvent using urea are also disclosed. The novel method of adding both a monohydric alcohol to the soapstock to lower viscosity and a strong acid to hydrolyse the soaps prevents the formation of emulsions of soaps and oils. The preferred embodiment uses a soapstock such as soybean soapstock, sulphuric acid and isopropanol. The novel process allows the quantitative recovery of fatty acids and glyceride from the soapstock by removal of the alcohol by evaporation. Alternatively the fatty acids and glyceride may be converted to esters of monohydric alcohols.