Abstract: The interesterification of fats and oils is effectively conducted in the presence of an enzymatic preparation which has an interesterification activity and has been prepared by adding fats and oils to a mixture of a lipase activator, a lipase and a carrier.

Abstract: The interesterification between an oil or fat and a fatty acid or between an oil or fat and another is improved by use of a lipase preparation in which lipase has been activated by water or a lower, dihydric or trihydric alcohol.

Abstract: .alpha.-mono(methyl-branched alkyl) glyceryl ethers represented by the formula ##STR1## where m is an integer of 2 to 14, n is an integer of 3 to 11, and the total of m+n is 11 to 17, are disclosed along with skin care compositions containing the same as emulsifiers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel 2,3-dialkoxypropyl glyceryl ether and the preparation process for it. The above diglycerin dialkyl ether is readily prepared with high yield and purity by reacting its corresponding glycidyl ether with a protected glycerin to form a 1,3-dioxolan compound, followed by etherifying the thus formed 1,3-dioxolan compound into a dialkyl ether dioxolan compound, and then hydrolyzing the resultant dialkyl ether dioxolan compound. This diglycerin dialkyl ether is useful as an emulsifier, cleaner etc., and is preferably used as a component of cosmetic compositions. A cosmetic composition comprising the above 2,3-dialkoxypropyl glyceryl ether is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some 4-(2'-hydroxy-3'-alkoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolanes are prepared by reacting alkylglycidyl ethers with acetal or ketal derivatives of glycerol in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for preparing certain 2-hydroxy-3-alkoxy-propylglyceryl ethers, which process comprises subjecting the 4-(2'-hydroxy-3'-alkoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolanes to hydrolysis. The above processes can afford intended reaction products with good yield without need for any special post-reaction treatment.

Abstract: The specification describes a process for the production of a 4-alkoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan in good yield, in high purity and in a simple manner by reacting an alkyl glycidyl ether with a carbonyl compound in the presence of an acid catalyst. The 4-alkoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan is useful as an intermediate for the production of an .alpha.-monoalkyl glyceryl ether by hydrolysis.

Abstract: A branched fatty acid cholesterol ester represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## where, R is a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having a total of 11 to 23 carbon atoms and including at least one alkyl substituent group attached on the main chain inbetween the carboxyl-bonding position and the center of the main chain; and cosmetic compositions containing the same are disclosed.