Abstract: A method of preparing esters and water soluble soaps using intensive mixing. The esters are prepared by reacting fats & oils with methanol containing caustic as a catalyst wherein the glycerin formed is removed. The resulting esters are saponified with caustic along with an additional amount of methanol to form the soap.

Abstract: Polyhydroxy amines reacted with fatty acid esters yield polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, such as the C.sub.11 -C.sub.17 fatty N-methyl glucamides, which may be contaminated with secondary amines. Such amines are acylated by a reaction with acetic anhydride. The resulting "clean" polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are preferred for use in the presence of oxidants, especially in the formulation of modern, colorless liquid detergents.

Abstract: A process for producing desulfurized fats and oils or fatty acid esters, which are highly suitable as a starting material for producing alcohols via hydrogenation, at a high yield is disclosed. Desulfurized fats and oils or fatty acid esters are obtained by contacting fats and oils or fatty acid esters with a catalyst represented by the following formula (I) under a hydrogen atmosphere or a mixture of hydrogen with an inert gas:Ni.Cu.sub.x O.sub.y (I)wherein x represents an atomic ratio of Cu determined by referring Ni as 1 and a value of from 0.02 to 8; and y is an atomic ratio of oxygen satisfying the valence requirements of Ni and Cu. A process for producing alcohols using the desulfurized fats and oils or fatty acid esters is also disclosed. A process for producing an alcohols using desulfurized fats and oils or fatty acid esters is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel azulenic retinoid compounds and therapeutic compositions are disclosed, along with method for their production and use as anti-cancer and cancer-prevention agents. The compositions of the present invention will also find use in treating dermatological disorders such as acne and psoriasis, as well as dermatologically-related conditions such as repair and effacement of wrinkles.

Abstract: A two-stage separation process for separating highly unsaturated triglycerides from an interesterification reaction product by sequential chromatographic separations wherein triglycerides are separated from saturated fatty acids in the first stage and unsaturated fatty acids are recovered in the second stage for recycle to the interesterification reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment using silica gel and silicalite in the two stages, respectively, and heptanone as desorbent in both stages, triglyceride product is removed as the first stage raffinate and the unsaturated fatty acid recycle product stream is removed as the raffinate in the second stage. In another embodiment, using silicalite adsorbent in both stages and 2-heptanone and acetone in the first and second stages, respectively, saturated fatty acids are removed as the extract in the first stage and triglycerides and unsaturated fatty acids are separated as raffinate product and extract product for recycle, respectively.