Abstract: Processes are described for producing furfural from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses, by dehydrating and cyclizing pentoses to provide furfural using a water-soluble acid at elevated temperatures in the presence of a low-boiling, water-immiscible organic solvent, such as toluene, which is effective for extracting the furfural into an organic phase portion. In certain embodiments, a fermentation step occurs prior to the dehydration step to convert hexoses in the mixed pentoses and hexoses to ethanol while conserving pentoses therein for making furfural.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compositions enriched in compounds containing carbon chains of varying degrees of unsaturation using argentation chromatography. The present method utilizes an argentized cationic resin or a conditioned argentized alumina to separate compounds containing saturated or mono-unsaturated carbon chains from compounds having polyunsaturated carbon chains present in a starting composition. The invention is particularly useful for preparing a composition enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters from mixtures of fatty acid esters in a starting composition derived from vegetable oils. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a conditioned argentized alumina adsorbent having increased selectivity for compounds containing one or more polyunsaturated carbon chains.

Abstract: Compositions, novel isolation sources and processes, and uses for unique policosanol containing compositions are disclosed. Seed and vegetable processing byproduct and/or “waste” streams are disclosed as containing policosanols with various relative amounts of the various long chain fatty/waxy alcohols. The policosanols are isolated and may be combined with other phytochemical/processing products, and are used in numerous food, beverage, health and/or nutraceutical applications.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a molecular sieve absorbent bed used for dehydrating an organic solvent is disclosed. The process is illustrated by regenerating a molecular sieve bed used for dehydrating ethanol, which includes a dehydrating cycle where an ethanol/water vapor mixture is loaded onto the molecular sieve bed at a first temperature to absorb water and recover a substantially dehydrated ethanol vapor effluent. In a regeneration cycle, the bed is subjected to a temperature swing technique whereby a dried gas, such as dried CO2, heated to at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, is passed over the molecular sieve bed, optimally in a counter current directional flow with respect to the dehydrating cycle. The process obviates the need for applying a vacuum pressure swing to regenerate the molecular sieve bed. Water and residual ethanol are removed with the CO2 effluent and can optionally be condensed and combined with a feed input for a subsequent dehydrating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method or preparing fatty acid alkyl esters from fatty acids contained in co-product streams, or waste or recycled fatty acid stock. The present method utilizes an acidic resin to convert the fatty acid stock into esters. The present method encompasses the use of reactive simulated moving bed chromatography, wherein above about 95 percent of the fatty acid stock is converted to fatty acid alkyl esters. The present method has been optimized to separate the ester product from the raffinate stream formed during the chromatographic process, thereby improving the yield of the esterification and preventing acid hydrolysis of the ester.

Abstract: A process for separation of specific tocopherols from a mixture of tocopherols is disclosed. The process includes methods of separation of the tocopherols from residues of vegetable oil refining and other various food sources by dissolving in organic solvents and eluting over non-ionic adsorbent resins.

Abstract: Compositions, novel isolation sources and processes, and uses for unique policosanol containing compositions are disclosed. Seed and vegetable processing byproduct and/or “waste” streams are disclosed as containing policosanols with various relative amounts of the various long chain fatty/waxy alcohols. The policosanols are isolated and may be combined with other phytochemical/processing products, and are used in numerous food, beverage, health and/or nutraceutical applications.

Abstract: A process for separation of specific tocopherols from a mixture of tocopherols is disclosed. The process includes methods of separation of the tocopherols from residues of vegetable oil refining and other various food sources by dissolving in organic solvents and eluting over non-ionic adsorbent resins.