Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for enzymatically producing dietary sterol fatty acid esters having physiological activities from phytosterols and fatty acids or oils and fats using lipase as a catalyst; the synthetic reaction conditions and the purification steps are so structured that dietary sterol fatty acid esters superior in sensory qualities including color, odor and taste, and safety, which is applicable as a general food, a health food or pharmaceuticals can be produced.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for enzymatically producing dietary sterol fatty acid esters having physiological activities from phytosterols and fatty acids or oils and fats using lipase as a catalyst; the synthetic reaction conditions and the following purification steps are so structured that dietary sterol fatty acid esters superior in sensory qualities including color, odor and taste, and safety, which is applicable as a general food, a health food or pharmaceuticals can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides foods containing sterol fatty acid esters composition and having pleasant texture, taste and flavor, wherein free sterols are hardly crystallized during storage, and a lot of the sterol fatty acid esters composition may be incorporated in foods having a low oil and fat content. The foods contain 1% by weight or more of the sterol fatty acid esters composition with a degree of esterification of more than 90%, thereby enabling foods containing oils and fats having a good emulsifying effect to be obtained.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically producing, from a vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, a dietary sterol fatty acid ester superior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor and taste) and safety and containing no or little trans fatty acids, wherein the conditions for treatment of the starting material, synthetic reaction and subsequent purification are controlled so that the sterol fatty acid ester becomes applicable as a daily food material, a health food material or a pharmaceutical material. In the process, fatty acid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the vegetable oil deodorizer distillate are previously degraded by hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst, fatty acids produced in the hydrolysis are removed by molecular distillation to give a sterol-containing fraction. The sterol-containing fraction is added with any fat and oil primarily comprising triacylglycerol. The mixture is used as the starting material, and the synthetic reaction is performed under strictly controlled conditions using a lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically producing, from a vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, a dietary sterol fatty acid ester superior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor and taste) and safety and containing no or little trans fatty acids, wherein the conditions for treatment of the starting material, synthetic reaction and subsequent purification are controlled so that the sterol fatty acid ester becomes applicable as a daily food material, a health food material or a pharmaceutical material. In the process, fatty acid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the vegetable oil deodorizer distillate are previously degraded by hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst, fatty acids produced in the hydrolysis are removed by molecular distillation to give a sterol-containing fraction. The sterol-containing fraction is added with any fat and oil primarily comprising triacylglycerol. The mixture is used as the starting material, and the synthetic reaction is performed under strictly controlled conditions using a lipolytic enzyme.