Abstract: Starting from a mixture containing tocopherol, fats and/or fat derivatives, more particularly fatty acids, and optionally sterol and/or sterol derivatives, the free fatty acids present in the mixture are esterified with an alcohol. The mixture is then transesterified with an alcohol in the presence of a basic catalyst. After the transesterification, the excess lower alcohol is distilled off from the reaction mixture. The transesterification catalyst and the glycerol present, if any, are removed and the fatty acid alkyl ester is distilled off from the mixture. Distillation of fatty acid alkyl esters can be accomplished with a packed column in sequence with a wiped film evaporator. The simultaneous recovery of tocopherol and sterol is possible. Tocopherols and sterols can be separated by the crystallization of sterols from a blend of organic solvents.

Abstract: A process is provided for simultaneously recovering tocopherol and sterol from a mixture containing tocopherol, fats and/or fat derivatives, more particularly fatty acids, and sterol and/or sterol derivatives, more particularly from a steamer distillate of natural oils and fats. The steps of said process comprise:free fatty acids present in the mixture are esterified with a lower alcohol, preferably methanol, 0.4 to 1.6 and more particularly 1 to 1.