Abstract: The content of phosphorus-containing components and the iron content of an edible vegetable or animal oil, preferably an oil such as soybean oil which has been wet-refined to remove mucilage, are reduced by enzymatic decomposition by contacting the oil with an aqueous solution of phospholipases A.sub.1, A.sub.2, or B and then separating the aqueous phase from the treated oil.

Abstract: In a reactor, granular feedstock having particle sizes in the range from about 0.5 to 15 mm is subjected in a moving bed to a countercurrent extraction at a temperature in the range from 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and under a pressure in the range from 50 to 400 bars by a continuously supplied solvent which is in a liquid or supercritical state. A mixture of valuable substances and solvent is withdrawn from the upper portion of the reactor. The solvent is separated from the valuable substances by a pressure relief and/or temperature rise and is recycled to the reactor. The extraction residue is withdrawn from the lower end of the reactor. Respective locks are used to charge the feedstock into the reactor and to discharge the extraction residue from the reactor. Solvent and an entrainer are supplied to the reactor at different locations. Outlet ducts having a length of 0.1 to 1 m are preferably used to deliver the feedstock onto a moving bed in the reactor so that a free space is provided over the bed.