Abstract: The present invention is related to a process for selectively transesterifying stanols in mixtures comprising sterols and stanols, and a process for separating sterols from said mixtures. The process of selective transesterification comprises the forming of a reacting mixture by contacting a selective lipase with a reactant mixture comprising sterols and stanols and an ester selected from the group consisting of esters of an organic acid with a short chain aliphatic alcohol. The transetrifying is carried out agitated reactors at pressures below atmospheric pressure and temperatures from 30 to 90° C.

Abstract: A process for producing steryl or stanyl esters, comprises the steps of: a) forming a reacting mixture by contacting a lipase with a reactant mixture wherein the reactant mixture comprise sterols or stanols and one or more esters selected from the group consisting of esters of a fatty acid with a short chain aliphatic alcohol; b) separating the lipase from the reacting mixture to form a reacted mixture; and c) separating steryl or stanyl esters from the reacted mixture. The reaction is carried out in stirred reactors at pressures below atmospheric pressure and temperatures from 30 to 90° C. The separation of esters from the reacted mixtures is carried out by distillation at low pressures. A process for esterifying sterols or stanols comprise forming a reacting mixture by contacting a lipase with a reactant mixture wherein the reactant mixture comprise sterols or stanols and one or more esters selected from the group consisting of esters of a fatty acid with a short chain aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fractionation process of the unsaponifiable material derived from black-liquor soaps of the cellulose industry. Through this procedure fractions that essentially contain free sterols, fatty alcohols, sterol esters and fatty alcohol esters respectively are separated. Fractions containing sterols or fatty alcohols can be used as such in the alimentary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries or they can be used as raw materials for transforming into other useful products.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process for selectively transesterifying stanols in mixtures comprising sterols and stanols, and a process for separating sterols from said mixtures.

Abstract: A process for producing steryl or stanyl esters, comprises the steps of:

Abstract: Dietary utilization of mixtures containing fatty alcohols of less than 26 carbon atoms per molecule and/or wood sterols derived from non-saponifiable compounds contained in black liquor soaps or tall oil pitch useful for lowering serum cholesterol. Food and pharmaceutical compositions containing these fatty alcohols or sterols or sterol esters are provided.

Abstract: A high efficiency continuous process for the recovering high purity sterol mixtures from mixtures of neutral compounds obtained form black liquor soap skimings of the cellulose pulping industry or from tall oil pitch comprising the steps of distillation, crystallization and recirculation of the mother liquor residue.

Abstract: A composition for lowering LDL-cholesterol levels or for elevating HDL-cholesterol levels in blood of a mammal or both, comprised of an ester of a policosanol or a mixture or esters of policosanols and a method for lowering LDL-cholesterol levels or for elevating HDL-cholesterol levels in blood of a mammal or both, comprised of orally administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective amount of an ester of a policosanol or a mixture of esters of policosanols.

Abstract: A method for obtaining neutral compounds from black-liquor soaps, tall oil and tall oil by-products is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (1) dehydrating black liquor soaps, neutralized tall oil, or neutralized tall oil by-products to form a dehydrated current; (2) distilling the dehydrated current in a distillation column; (3) collecting an essentially soap free distillate; and (4) collecting an essentially neutral compound free residue. Also disclosed is a method for obtaining a sterol concentrate from black-liquor soap solutions, neutralized tall oil, or neutralized tall oil by-products. In this method, a distillation operation is repeated until a current of sterols with the desired purity is obtained. The method yields a sterol concentrate with a level of purity over 96%.