Abstract: A method for the preparation and purification of conjugated linolenic acids is described. The method comprises blending a mixture of vegetable oils and or fats including various concentrations of alpha or gamma and or both linolenic acids with a base. The method transforms approximately over two thirds of ?-linolenic acid (9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid) into 9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid and 9Z,13E,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid. The method also transforms gamma-linolenic acid (6Z,9Z,12Z-octadecatrienoic acid) into 6Z,8E,15Z-octadeccatrienoic acid and 6Z,10E,12Z-octadecatrienoic acid. In all cases, geometrical isomers and fully conjugated isomers are also produced.

Abstract: A process for producing unsaturated and saturated free fatty acid from trap oils, trap greases, brown greases and grease trap waste as starting material. The process consist in subjecting the starting material to a pretreatment, a first purification step, a fractional step, a second purification step and eventually a hydrogenation step. Methyl esters of unsaturated and saturated free fatty acids, oleic acid and stearin is obtained from this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of unsaturated and saturated free fatty acids. The process comprises the steps of: (a) selecting a starting material from the group consisting of trap oils, trap greases, yellow greases and brown greases, (b) pre-treating the oils and/or greases selected in step (a) in order to separate the oils and/or greases, from residual solids and water and obtain a mixture consisting principally of saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids, (c) bleaching the mixture of free fatty acids obtained in step (b) in order to obtain a suitable coloration thereof, (d) fractionating the bleached free fatty acids obtained in step (c) in two fractions: saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, (e) purifying the unsaturated fatty acids obtained from step (d), and purifying the saturated fatty acids obtained from step (d).