Abstract: The invention relates to a method of refining glyceride oil comprising the step of degumming said glyceride oil, wherein said degumming step is followed by a separation step in which undissolved and non-centrifugable particles are removed from said degummed oil. Preferably said degumming step is followed by a step of holding the degummed oil for such a period of time and under such temperature conditions as to cause agglomeration of said undissolved particles, and for an agent promoting the formation of undissolved particles and/or promoting the agglomeration of the undissolved particles is added to the oil.

Abstract: A new process has been developed for preparing high purity neem seed extract by adsorbing aqueous solutions of neem seed extract containing azadirachtin onto a macroporous polymeric adsorbent followed by desorption using a solvent. The resulting extract, optionally formulated, is a useful insecticide for the control of foliar pests.

Abstract: A chromatographic process for deacidification of vegetable oils at ambient temperature. According to the process, which can be retrofitted into deacidification operations using miscella refining or solvent extraction, crude vegetable oil is dissolved in a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol and passed through a column of activated alumina (aluminum oxide) at room temperature. The process, which eliminates physical contact between both oil and an alkaline reagent and oil and water, simplifies subsequent bleaching processes by also removing some color pigments. The spent alumina can be reactivated by washing it with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids are sorbed from aqueous feedstocks into an organic liquid phase or onto a solid adsorbent. The acids are freed from the sorbent phase by treating it with aqueous alkylamine thus forming an alkylammonium carboxylate which is dewatered and decomposed to the desired carboxylic acid and the alkylamine.

Abstract: A method for recovering at least one unsaturated fatty acid having sixteen or more carbon atoms and/or at least one compound of such a fatty acid from a mixture derived from vegetable, animal or marine sources is provided. Fatty acids and/or fatty acid compounds of the mixture, in free acid or esterified form, are passed into a mobile phase of liquid carbon dioxide in a column over a stationary phase. The stationary phase contains a support and a material bound to the support which contains at least one free electron pair and/or multiple bond. After eluting any saturated fatty acid or fatty acid compound of the same number of carbon atoms from the column, the unsaturated fatty acid and/or fatty acid compound is recovered in pure chemical form or as an enriched mixture.

Abstract: An extraction process comprising contracting a material to be extracted with an extracting fluid at elevated pressure within a defined space, and separating the extracted fluid and extract as a mass, from the extracted material while reducing the volume of the defined space and while maintaining the elevated pressure within the defined space. Apparatus for carrying out the process is adapted to separate the extracting fluid and the extract, as a mass, from the extracted material, while maintaining elevated pressure and reducing the volume as the point of separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of refining glyceride oil comprising the step of degumming said glyceride oil, wherein said degumming step is followed by a separation step in which undissolved and non-centrifugable particles are removed from said degummed oil. Preferably said degumming step is followed by a step of holding the degummed oil for such a period of time and under such temperature conditions as to cause agglomeration of said undissolved particles, and for an agent promoting the formation of undissolved particles and/or promoting the agglomeration of the undissolved particles is added to the oil.

Abstract: A two-stage separation process for separating highly unsaturated triglycerides from an interesterification reaction product by sequential chromatographic separations wherein triglycerides are separated from saturated fatty acids in the first stage and unsaturated fatty acids are recovered in the second stage for recycle to the interesterification reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment using silica gel and silicalite in the two stages, respectively, and heptanone as desorbent in both stages, triglyceride product is removed as the first stage raffinate and the unsaturated fatty acid recycle product stream is removed as the raffinate in the second stage. In another embodiment, using silicalite adsorbent in both stages and 2-heptanone and acetone in the first and second stages, respectively, saturated fatty acids are removed as the extract in the first stage and triglycerides and unsaturated fatty acids are separated as raffinate product and extract product for recycle, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) from Chinese Vegetable Tallow (CVT) and to the product prepared. Crude CVT is first subjected to a semi-refining process comprising an alkali treatment, a water wash and an adsorption step. The semi-refined CVT is subjected to a single step fractional crystallization under controlled conditions. After removal of the solvent from the crude CBE found in the mother liquor after filtration, the crude CBE is subjected to a steam distillation process, addition of antioxidants and a final filtration. The resulting product meets all of the criteria necessary for Cocoa Butter Equivalent.

Abstract: The separation of free fatty acids from triglycerides is performed by an adsorptive chromatographic process in liquid phase with silica gel as the adsorbent. A ketone, having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as 2-heptanone, an ester or an ether can be selected as the desorbent.

Abstract: The separation of monounsaturated triglycerides from polyunsaturated triglycerides is achieved by an adsorptive chromatographic process in liquid phase with silica gel as the adsorbent at temperatures higher than about 100.degree. C. Desorbents in the separation process include ketones, having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in concentrations of up to about 25% (vol.) in normal or branched alkanes, e.g., n-hexane or iso-octane, or p-cymene in concentrations of 20% (vol.) to 100%.

Abstract: The separation of unsaturated triglycerides on the basis of degree of unsaturation is achieved by an adsorptive chromatographic process in liquid phase with silane- or alcohol-treated silica gel as the adsorbent. Desorbents in the separation process include ketones, having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, low molecular weight esters, having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms or p-cymene, or mixtures thereof, alone or mixed with a hydrocarbon diluent. The preferred temperature in the separation column is from 120.degree.-150.degree. C.

Abstract: A process of separating materials is disclosed which comprises contacting a solid material with a fluid at an elevated pressure within a defined space, forming a fluid mixture of said fluid and a component of the solid material at the elevated pressure, separating the fluid mixture from the insoluble portion of the solid material at the elevated pressure and discharging the fluid mixture, as a mass, from a defined space, while simultaneously reducing the volume of the defined space at a rate sufficient to maintain the elevated pressure during the discharge step. Optionally, the insoluble portion of the solid material may be compacted during the separation step. The solid material may be selected from animal, vegetable, and mineral sources and the fluid may be selected from CO.sub.2 and other gases or liquids. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for separation of fatty acid alkyl esters, carotenoids and tocotrienols from oil. Fatty acids in a vegetable oil are subjected to alcoholic esterification to form an ester-rich layer including fatty acid alkyl esters, carotenoids and tocotrienols. The ester-rich layer is exposed to solvolytic micellization to form a carotenoid-rich layer. The ester-rich layer is separated from the carotenoid-rich layer. The carotenoids in the carotenoid-rich layer are concentrated and can be adsorptively separated from the carotenoid-rich layer. Fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the ester-rich layer to form a tocotrienol-rich layer. Individual tocotrienols in the tocotrienol-rich layer are adsorptively separated and concentrated.

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 enhancing supercritical fluid extraction of sample matrices which contain water. The method involves mixing the samples with an extraction enhancing aid comprising flux-calcined diatomaceous earth which increases the permeability of the sample in a supercritical fluid and controls water during the extraction procedure.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for concentration and separation of an eicosapentaenoic acid ester comprising:(1) a step in which a solution, in a nonpolar solvent, of a mixture of fatty acid esters containing an eicosapentaenoic acid ester is allowed to contact with a zeolite, so as to allow said eicosapentaenoic ester to be adsorbed on said zeolite;(2) a step in which said zeolite is allowed to contact with a nonpolar solvent, so as to desorb impurities; and(3) a step in which said zeolite is allowed to contact with a polar solvent, so as to allow said eicosapentaenoic acid ester to be desorbed.This process makes it possible to obtain a highly pure eicosapentaenoic acid ester on a commercial scale.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sterols and/or lipid components (e.g., cholesterol and fats) from lipid containing food (e.g., meat) using sub or supercritical fluids (e.g., CO.sub.2) involves initial processing of the food to produce an intermediate moisture product in which substantially all of the "free water" but not all of the "bound water" is removed. Different moisture removal techniques may be used. Where freeze drying of food flakes is adopted the moisture level is preferable reduced to 30-55% w/w. The intermediate moisture product is treated with supercritical CO.sub.2 to remove the lipids therefrom. Optionally the cholesterol can be separated from the fat component by use of an adsorbent to selectively remove the cholesterol from the supercritical CO.sub.2. The product can be reconstituted with water and fat to provide a reconstituted meat product suitable for hamburgers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining an aroma concentrate that is enriched in lactones. The present invention is particularly concerned with a process for concentrating lactones from a distillate obtained by the distillative deacidification of a fat composition rich in lauric acid residues, said distillate containing at least 0.1 wt. % of lactones having 6-20 carbon atoms, by subjecting the distillate or a fraction thereof to a fractional distillation so as to obtain a fraction containing at least 1 wt. % of lactones having 6-20 carbon atoms.The present invention offers a commercially and technically attractive route for obtaining natural lactones.Other aspects of the present invention are a lactone concentrate obtainable by the above process, the use of such a concentrate for flavoring food products and to food products flavored by such a lactone concentrate.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid esters from crude fish oils, by means of transesterification with ethanol and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and two-step molecular distillation.

Abstract: Generally in accordance with the present invention, methods are provided for removing cholesterol from edible triglyceride oils. In this regard, animal fats typically contain cholesterol predominantly in the form of free cholesterol, as well as minor amounts of cholesterol esters of fatty acids such as cholesteryl oleate or palmitate. The present methods may be used to remove cholesterol from both animal and vegetable triglyceride oils, including, but not limited to, butterfat, beef tallow, fish oil, lard, soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, olive oil and peanut oil.