Abstract: A process for the recovery of carotenes and the production of carotene concentrate from natural oils and fats. The carotene-containing natural oils and fats is subjected to alcoholic esterification to form a mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols. The alkyl esters mixture is subjected to vacuum distillation at a pressure of less than 60 mTorr and a temperature of less than 180.degree. C. to form a carotene-rich concentrate. The carotenes in the carotene-rich concentrate are adsorptively separated, concentrated and collected as carotene-rich fraction.

Abstract: A process for the production of tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3) from palm fatty acid distillates (PFAD). The process includes converting free fatty acids and glycerides in PFAD into alkyl esters, then separating T and T3 from the alkyl esters and other impurities. The T and T3 are concentrated by ion-exchange and further concentrated by distilling the resulting product. Specific catalysts and optimum temperatures for the process are included. The resulting purified tocopherols and tocotrienols are useful substances, exhibiting antioxidant and physiological activities.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carotenes and the production of carotene concentrates from palm oil. Esterified palm oil containing carotenes, or other solutions containing carotenes, is mixed with an edible oil, part by part. The resulting mixture is subjected to a pressure of less than 7.999 N/m.sup.2 and a temperature of less than 200.degree. C., without incurring substantial decomposition of the carotenes during the process.