Abstract: Glyceride oil compositions are refined by contacting them in solution in an organic solvent under pressure with a semi-permeable membrane to separate constituents of different molecular weights into retentate and permeate fractions.The composition before said separation or at least one of said fractions after said separation is contacted in solution in a non-polar solvent, with a metal oxide or metalloid oxide adsorbent in a column. Optionally the oil can be subjected to a bleaching and/or a deodorizing treatment.This process allows glyceride oil compositions to be refined by purely physical means, avoiding contact of the composition with chemicals, which may harm the quality of the composition.

Abstract: Crude glyceride oils are refined by membrane filtration under pressure in solutions in organic solvents, particularly to separate phosphatides, which may also be refined according to the invention. The solvents are non-acidic, non-hydroxy solvents, e.g., esters, hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons, particularly in which micelles are formed and the solution is contacted under pressure with a semi-permeable membrane, preferably anisotropic and made from synthetic resin. These pass a permeate fraction of low molecular weight components, eg the glycerides and solvent, and retain a fraction of higher molecular weight, e.g., phosphatide micelles.

Abstract: The storage properties of edible oils are improved by first contacting the oil, in solution in a non-polar solvent, with a metal or metalloid oxide adsorbent in a column, and subsequently treating the oil with a bleaching earth after the solvent has been removed.