Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to a process for the production and purification of sterols from oil distillates or oil distillation residues, in particular from the latter. Specifically, the presently claimed invention relates to a process for obtaining sterols in a pure form with reduced impurity and improved color.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to a process for the production and purification of sterols from oil distillates or oil distillation residues, in particular from the latter. Specifically, the presently claimed invention relates to a process for obtaining sterols in a pure form with reduced impurity and improved color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing esters from fatty alcohols, in which fatty alcohols and fatty acids are reacted in the presence of an enzyme at a temperature in the range of 30 to 50° C., the water which forms is removed and the reaction is completed under reduced pressure at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing esters from fatty alcohols, in which fatty alcohols and fatty acids are reacted in the presence of an enzyme at a temperature in the range of 30 to 50° C., the water which forms is removed and the reaction is completed under reduced pressure at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the distillation of substance mixtures which comprise temperature-sensitive substances, where the apparatus comprises a thin-film evaporator and a fractionating column, and where the fractionating column is attached to the distillate outlet of the thin-film evaporator, and where the fractionating column has at least 3 theoretical plates, and where the pressure drop of the fractionating column during operation at an F factor of 1 Pa1/2 amounts to a maximum of 3 hPa (3 mbar). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the distillation of substance mixtures which comprise temperature-sensitive substances, which process is carried out in the apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous dispersions containing (a) 5 to 50% by weight of sterols and/or stanols; and (b) 0.5 to 20% by weight of citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides, based on the total weight of the dispersion, wherein the citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides are partially neutralised; and to a process for the production of an aqueous sterol/stanol-containing dispersion, which process comprises (a) dissolving citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides that are partly neutralised, in water; (b) dispersing sterols and/or stanols in the emulsifier solution to form a pre-dispersion; and (c) grinding the pre-dispersion in a ball-mill until the dispersion has a particle mass diameter, d90, of less than 5 ?m. Optionally, this dispersion is spray-dried.

Abstract: The invention relates to solids dispersions in the form of a solid solution containing a) at least about 0.1% by weight of sterols and/or stanols and/or esters thereof, and b) at least about 50% by weight of sugars and/or sugar alcohols, based on the total weight of the solids dispersion. These solids dispersions provide for simple further processing of the hydrophobic sterols and stanols, and sterol or stanol esters, through improved dispersion behavior in foods, and are distinguished by excellent stability upon storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous dispersions containing (a) 5 to 50% by weight of sterols and/or stanols; and (b) 0.5 to 20% by weight of citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides, based on the total weight of the dispersion, wherein the citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides are partially neutralised; and to a process for the production of an aqueous sterol/stanol-containing dispersion, which process comprises (a) dissolving citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides that are partly neutralised, in water; (b) dispersing sterols and/or stanols in the emulsifier solution to form a pre-dispersion; and (c) grinding the pre-dispersion in a ball-mill until the dispersion has a particle mass diameter, d90, of less than 5 ?m. Optionally, this dispersion is spray-dried.

Abstract: Processes for recovering phytosterols are described. The processes comprise: (a) providing a liquid mixture containing a phytosterol, methanol, and one or more additional compounds, wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 25 to 75% by weight, based on the phytosterol; (b) cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals; and (c) separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to solids dispersions in the form of a solid solution containing a) at least about 0.1% by weight sterols and/or stanols and/or esters thereof b) at least about 50% by weight sugars and/or sugar alcohols, based on the total weight of the solids dispersion. These solids dispersions provide for simple further processing of the hydrophobic sterols and stanols and sterol or stanol esters through improved dispersion behavior in foods and are distinguished by excellent stability upon storage.

Abstract: Processes for preparing substantially citrostadienol-free phytosterols are disclosed. The processes described include dissolving a liquid phytosterol in a hydrocarbon solvent, optionally with added methanol, and crystallizing the phytosterol compounds. Also described are the resulting phytosterols which are substantially citrostadienol-free, and preferably contain less than 0.5% by weight citrostadienol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sterols from fatty acid distillation residues, characterized in that the partial glycerides are subjected to a first transesterification step under mild conditions and, after working up and the removal of impurities, the sterol esters are subjected to a second transesterification step under more extreme conditions.

Abstract: Processes for recovering phytosterols are described. The processes comprise: (a) providing a liquid mixture containing a phytosterol, methanol, and one or more additional compounds, wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 25 to 75% by weight, based on the phytosterol; (b) cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals; and (c) separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sterols from residues of the distillation of oils, characterized in that the partial glycerides are subjected to a first transesterification step and, after working up and removal of impurities, the sterol esters are subjected to a second transesterification step under more extreme conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sterols from fatty acid distillation residues, characterized in that the partial glycerides are subjected to a first transesterification step under mild conditions and, after working up and the removal of impurities, the sterol esters are subjected to a second transesterification step under more extreme conditions.

Abstract: Sterols are hydrogenated to stanols in the presence of hydrogenation catalysts in reduced amounts of organic solvent. Both alcohols and paraffin hydrocarbons and also mixtures of alcohols and paraffin hydrocarbons may be used as the solvent. By virtue of the reduced consumption of solvent and the high yield of hydrogenated sterol, the process is particularly suitable for the industrial production of stanols.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyamides comprising the steps of A) reacting a soybean oil condensate obtained from the deodorization of refined soybean oil and which contains less than 30% by weight of free and esterified oleic acid based on the total weight of free and esterified fatty acids in said condensate, with a C.sub.1-4 alkanol in the presence of a zinc oxide catalyst to convert free fatty acids and fatty acid glyceride esters to fatty acid C.sub.1-4 alkyl esters;B) removing excess C.sub.1-4 alkanol, volatile reaction by-products, water, and the zinc oxide catalyst from the resulting reaction mixture;C) heating the reaction mixture from step B) under vacuum to obtain a distillate of fatty acid C.sub.1-4 alkyl esters;D) separating the distillate from step C) into a fraction containing mostly C.sub.16-18 saturated fatty acid C.sub.1-4 alkyl esters and a second fraction containing mostly C.sub.16-18 unsaturated fatty acid C.sub.1-4 alkyl esters wherein the oleic acid C.sub.

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 and fatty glycerides are transesterified with an alcohol in the presence of a zinc oxide and/or zinc hydroxide catalyst. After the esterifications, 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.