Abstract: Enzymes are immobilized by preparing an emulsion containing a continuous hydrophobic phase such as a triglyceride oil and a dispersed aqueous phase containing an amphiphilic enzyme such as lipase or phospholipase and carrier material that is partly dissolved and partly undissolved in the aqueous phase, and removing water from the aqueous phase until the phase turns into solid enzyme coated carrier particles. The undissolved part of the carrier material may be a material that is insoluble in water and oil, or a water soluble material in undissolved form because the aqueous phase is already saturated with the water soluble material. The aqueous phase may be formed with a crude lipase fermentation liquid containing fermentation residues and biomass that can serve as carrier materials. Immobilized lipase is useful for ester re-arrangement and de-acidification in oils.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the synthesis of polyol fatty acid polyesters involving transesterification of a reaction mixture comprising a soap emulsifier in which during the reaction at a degree of conversion within the range of from 15 to 60% the soap level is substantially reduced. By this process the high-viscosity and separating-out problems attached to the soap emulsifier in the later stages of the reaction are avoided.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyol fatty acid polyesters, e.g. sucrose polyesters (SPE) is improved by(1) mixing the polyol with an alkaline catalyst such as KOH, NaOH or their carbonates, preferably in aqueous solution or dissolved in C.sub.1-5 alcohols or ketones at atmospheric pressure and 10.degree.-80.degree. C.(2) preparing a mixture of fatty acid lower alkyl esters with an emulsifier, preferably a fatty acid soap, and(3) adding the alkaline polyol solution to the mixture of (2), whereby preferably the solvent is removed during the addition of (1) to (2), e.g. at 60.degree. C. and 5 mbar.The ratio fatty acid lower alkyl esters:polyol is preferably (10-20):1.The reaction is improved so that SPE are formed at 110.degree.-145.degree. C. within 5-10 hours.

Abstract: A process for preparing partial polyol fatty acid esters, e.g. sucrose or sorbitol esters, is improved by(1) mixing the polyol with an alkaline catalyst such as KOH, NaOH or their carbonates, preferably in aqueous solution or dissolved in C.sub.1-5 alcohols or ketones at atmospheric pressure and 10.degree.-80.degree. C.,(2) preparing a mixture of fatty acid lower alkyl esters with an emulsifier, preferably a fatty acid soap, and(3) adding the alkaline polyol solution to the mixture of (2), whereby preferably the solvent is removed during the addition of (1) to (2), e.g. at 60.degree. C. and 5 mbar.The reaction is improved so that partial polyol fatty acid esters with at most half of the polyol hydroxy groups being esterified are formed at 110.degree.-145.degree. C. within 1-4 hours.

Abstract: The process is a discontinuous process wherein the oil is subjected to interesterification in a discrete charge and comprises bringing together streams comprising respectively at least a portion of a charge of triglyceride oil and catalyst solution of water, alkali metal, hydroxide and glycerol, homogenizing the mixture, reducing its water content, and interesterifying. The process can be performed either as a semi-continuous process or as a circulatory batch process. Preferably the homogenization and drying steps are combined and are performed by passage through a spray drying nozzle. The spray drying nozzle preferably sprays the mixture directly into the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A method for treating an edible oil rich in linoleic acids so as to increase its solid fat content comprises the directed interesterification under isothermal conditions of an oil containing at least 60% pufa and 12.5 to 16% safa. The method is simple to perform and produces an oil which can be employed directly in margarine manufacture. The oil can be a mixture of an oil high in pufa such as natural sunflower and safflower seed oil and an oil high in safa such as fully or partially hardened sunflower or safflower seed oil.