Abstract: Processes for purifying compounds are disclosed which include reacting (i) a mixture of at least one tocopherol compound or sterol compound, and an alcohol having from about 10 to 30 carbons with (ii) one or more boron-containing compounds to form a second mixture of orthoborate esters, wherein the mole ratio of tocopherol, sterol and alcohol to boron is at least about 2.5:1; heating the second mixture to form a residue containing the orthoborate esters; contacting the residue with a compound capable of solvolyzing the orthoborate esters to form a third mixture including the boron-containing compound(s), the alcohol and the tocopherol and/or sterol compound(s); and recovering the tocopherol and/or sterol compound(s).

Abstract: An improved process and composition are disclosed for isolation of steroids containing a 5,7-diene functionality from a sterol mixture that comprises formation of a Diels-Alder reaction product of the ster-5,7-dienol in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of an ethylenically unsaturated C12-C24 fatty carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns concentrates of shea sterols in glycerides with more than 12.5 wt % shea sterols, the preparation thereof by enzymic hydrolysis of glycerides in shea oils or fractions thereof and the application of the concentrates in aerated food products.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for separating outer birch bark from inner birch bark. The invention also provides methods for isolating betulin; lupeol; betulinic acid; 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid; polyphenolic polymers and fatty acids from birch bark.

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: The invention relates to the use of nanoscale sterols and/or sterol esters with particle diameters of 10 to 300 nm as food additives and as active substances for the production of hypocholesterolemic agents. The particular fineness of the particles promotes more rapid absorption by the blood serum after oral ingestion by comparison with conventional sterols and sterol esters.

Abstract: Process for the obtaining of an oryzanol concentrate from an oryzanol containing fatty substance which preferably is a crude oil, by the steps of

Abstract: A method is set forth for separating a sterol or sterol ester from crude tall oil comprising fractionating the crude tall oil into a residue fraction and a volatile fraction, wherein the temperature of the residue fraction does not exceed about 290° C., and wherein the residue fraction includes the sterol or sterol ester. By application of this method, which can be implemented in existing fractionating equipment or in specially designed pitch collecting apparatuses disclosed herein, the yield of sterols can exceed 50% with respect to the sterols present in crude tall oil. A method is also provided for separating unsaponifiable material from a tall oil stream comprising saponifying the stream with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to form sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids, rosin acids, or both; evaporating the unsaponifiable material; and acidulating the unevaporated sodium and potassium salts.

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: The invention regards a process for the preparation of a mixture of stanol and stanol fatty acid esters by esterification of phytosterols with a source for fatty acid moieties, in such a way that the degree of esterification of the phytosterols is in the range of 40-85%, and subsequent hardening of the so obtained sterol/sterol fatty acid mixture, the process can be carried out without the use of any solvent, and wherein preferably the fatty acid groups of the stanol fatty acid esters are substantially saturated fatty acid esters. Also claimed are food products comprising mixtures of stanol and stanol fatty acid esters, in particular fat based food products such as yellow fat spreads.

Abstract: A method is set forth for separating a sterol or sterol ester from crude tall oil comprising fractionating the crude tall oil into a residue fraction and a volatile fraction, wherein the temperature of the residue fraction does not exceed about 290.degree. C., and wherein the residue fraction includes the sterol or sterol ester. By application of this method, which can be implemented in existing fractionating equipment or in specially designed pitch collecting apparatuses disclosed herein, the yield of sterols can exceed 50% with respect to the sterols present in crude tall oil. A method is also provided for separating unsaponifiable material from a tall oil stream comprising saponifying the stream with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to form sodium and potassium salts of fatty acid, rosin acids, or both; evaporating the unsaponifiable material; and acidulating the unevaporated sodium and potassium salts.

Abstract: Sterols from the solvent-extracted or distilled neutrals of saponified tall oil pitch are disclosed to be isolated and purified by a process of a liquid-liquid extraction where the hydrocarbon extraction stream is washed with an aqueous methanol solution to remove methanol-soluble impurities by adding the methanol and water, sequentially or as a blend. The resulting hydrocarbon/neutrals/methanol/water solution separates into an upper organic phase and a lower methanol/water phase, which lower phase is removed. The remaining organic phase is allowed to cool to from about 20-30.degree. C., with agitation, to facilitate crystallization of sterols, which crystals are recovered by filtering.

Abstract: Stanol fatty acid ester composition comprising at least 85% of stanol (saturated) fatty acid esters in which at least 85% of the fatty acid groups are saturated. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of stanol fatty acid esters, by hardening phytosterol fatty acid or a mixture thereof, or as an alternative, a process for the preparation of stanol fatty acid esters by esterification of phytosterols or a mixture thereof, followed by the hardening of the so obtained phytosterol fatty acid esters.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a process for isolating and purifying a phytosterol composition from a pulping soap by first extracting a creamy precipitate from the pulping soap using a solvent mixture of water, ketone, and hydrocarbon, and then purifying the cremy precipitate to form the phytosterol composition. The invention also includes the phytosterol composition formed by this method.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel cationic lipid acid salt of 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol. This invention further discloses a transmembrane compatible body suitable for transfection of animals and animal cells with nucleotides such as DNA, RNA, and synthetic nucleotides. Such transmembrane compatible bodies arise from hydratable non-liposomal halogenated solvent-free lyophilate comprising 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol and DOPE. This invention yet further discloses a halogenated solvent-free aqueous solution, suitable for lyophilization into a preliposomal powder, wherein the solution comprises 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol wherein substantially all 3.beta.?N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl!cholesterol is dissolved.

Abstract: The invention provides a process comprising treating a lanolin fatty acid with boric acid to convert hydroxy fatty acids therein to boric acid esters, subjecting the reaction mixture to vacuum distillation to fractionate the boric acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids from non-hydroxy fatty acids, hydrolyzing the boric acid esters, and subjecting the hydrolysate to vacuum distillation to provide .alpha.-hydroxy fatty acids and .omega.-hydroxy fatty acids, the resultant respective lanolin fatty acids and esters, and cosmetic products and drug products for external use containing them.According to the invention, pale-colored, substantially odor-free lanolin fatty acids can be obtained easily and with high efficiency and these compounds can be effectively utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic field.

Abstract: A novel process for the recovery of tocopherols and sterols from natural, especially vegetable, sources. This process is especially a process for the separation of tocopherols and sterols from deodorizer sludges by distillation of these deodorizer sludges, in that prior to the distillation the sterols present in the deodorizer sludge are esterified with the fatty acids which are also present, the resulting mixture is distilled to obtain residual fatty acids and subsequently to obtain tocopherols, whereby the sterol esters formed in the esterification remain in the residue of this distillation, and then the tocopherols are isolated from the distillate and the sterols, after cleavage of their esters, are isolated from the distillation residue.

Abstract: A process is provided which allows the isolation of sterols and a tocopherol concentrate in high yields from a deodorizer distillate (DOD) mixture obtained from the processing of, for example, soybean oils. Treatment of DOD with methanol at preferably 200.degree.-220.degree. C. in the presence of a monoalkyl- or dialkyl-tin compound results in the conversion of fatty acids and fatty acid esters into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and the liberation of free sterols and glycerin without appreciable degradation of tocopherols or sterols. The process can also be carried out in two steps where glycerin is used in the initial step and the fatty acids are converted into glycerides allowing the water of reaction to be removed as it is formed. The FAME produced by both methods are removed by a stripping operation to give a concentrate that allows the isolation of sterols in high yield and high purity and the isolation of a tocopherol concentrate by molecular distillation.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating 5,7-diene-containing steroids, particularly 3.beta.-ols and esters of 3.beta.-ols, from a sterol mixture. The method involves (1) treating the mixture with a dienophile or with an oxidizable dienophile precursor in combination with an oxidizing agent so as to provide a Diels-Alder adduct of the 5,7-diene to be isolated, followed by (2) removal of the adduct from the mixture and (3) regeneration of the 5,7-diene with a suitable reducing agent. The invention also encompasses subsequent purification steps and intermediate modification of the Diels-Alder intermediate, e.g., wherein chemical conversion of the Diels-Alder adduct is effected prior to regeneration of the 5,7-diene. Novel compounds which are Diels-Alder adducts of 5,7-diene-containing steroids are provided as well.

Abstract: A process of refining mixtures obtained from treatments of fatty media with cyclodextrin and containing complexes of cyclodextrin with lipophilic compounds, characterized by the fact that the said mixtures are washed with at least one anhydrous polar solvent, whereby at least partial dissociation of the complexes of cyclodextrin/lipophilic compounds is brought about, and the lipophilic compounds which are not included are released from their connection with cyclodextrin.

Abstract: Process of refining mixtures obtained from treatments of fatty media with cyclodextrin and containing complexes of cyclodextrin substantially with lipophilic substances other than fatty acids, characterized in that the said mixture is successively subjected to a heat treatment in the presence of a solvent system containing water, the mixture thus treated is separated into different raffinates and the raffinates are recovered.

Abstract: There are described antitumour sterols, their fatty acid esters and glucosides, processes for their preparation, spontaneously dispersible agents containing these sterols, their fatty acid esters and glucosides, and their use for treating tumours.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating an edible animal fat to reduce the content of components having free hydroxyl groups. The process comprises forming a reaction mixture from the fat and a cyclic anhydride such as succinic or glutaric anhydride, heating the mixture to a temperature promoting conversion of these components to hemisuccinates or hemiglutarates, and subjecting the reacted fat to alkali-refining to remove the converted components as water-soluble soaps. The process is particularly useful for reducing the cholesterol content of the animal fats.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a process for extracting compounds from plant material, comprisinga) contacting hydrolyzed plant material with a supercritical fluid and optionally with a co-solvent and p1 b) recovering the compound from the supercritical fluid.In another embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a process for removing a compound from plant material, comprising contacting the plant material with an acid, a supercritical fluid and a co-solvent, and recovering the compound from the supercritical fluid. The sterols, diosgenin and sarsapogenin, are efficiently extracted from barbasco root and Yucca seed, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for refining a material lanolin containing pesticides, the process being characterized in that the pesticide remaining in the material is removed by subjecting to at least one step selected from among (1) the step of treating the material in a molten state or in an organic solvent in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under the conditions of a temperature of 60.degree. to 210.degree. C., a hydrogen pressure or at least 1 atm. and hydrogen consumption of 0.001 to 0.05 wt. % based on the material lanolin, (2) distilling the material in a vacuum at an absolute pressure of 10.times.10.sup.-3 to 500.times.10.sup.-3 mmHg at a temperature of 150.degree. to 280.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a stigmasterol enriched product from esterified deodorizer distillate by use of a particular solvent system. The solvent system contains water, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alcohol such as methanol, and a non-polar solvent such as heptane.

Abstract: Butter oil is heated under high vacuum and sparged for up to about 6 hours to remove cholesterol. Walls surrounding a vapor space above the sparged mass preferably are heated to remove cholesterol with reduced loss of desirable low molecular weight components. Alternatively, the temperature of the butter oil is lowered, and the butter oil is sparged with steam for an additional period of up to about 3 hours to partially hydrolyze triglycerides to mono- and di-glycerides and free fatty acids. The low cholesterol butter oil then is cooled before being exposed to air, thus avoiding oxidation which produces off-flavors. The resulting low-cholesterol butter fat and products made therefrom have composition and organoleptic characteristics substantially similar to those of natural butter oil and butter.

Abstract: The invention herein is a method of reducing cholesterol in egg yolks by extracting cholesterol with substantially low moisture alcohol extractant and then hydrolyzing with selected proteolytic enzymes, such that the resulting product is useful in producing emulsified products like mayonnaise, salad dressings, and the like.

Abstract: A novel process for the concentration of natural tocopherols and/or steroids in materials derived from natural sources by treating this material with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water in an inert water-miscible organic solvent and subsequently separating from this material the thus-formed calcium salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to set free sterols from organic materials containing esters of such sterols, generally enriched distillation residues, or desodorisates by treating said organic material with ammonia and/or an amine and/or compound releases ammonia and/or amines while heated, the treament being carried out preferably at an elevated temperature, and under an elevated pressure.