Patent ID: 7544822
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: C07C,C07D,C11B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An integrated process for extracting and purifying tocotrienols/tocopherols, carotenoids and sterols and production of fatty acid esters from oils, comprising the steps of: a. tran-esterification of oil containing tocotrienols/tocopherols, carotenes, sterols, fatty acids, mono-, di- and triglycerides, for a period of time at specific temperature in the presence of a monohydric alcohol, and base or acid to form an ester-rich layer and a glycerol-rich layer; b. separating the ester-rich layer from the glycerol-rich layer as obtained in (a) by gravitational settling, decantation or separation by centrifugal forces; c. washing and drying the ester-rich layer obtained in (b) under conditions sufficient to remove all impurities and base or acid without destroying the tocotrienols, tocopherols and carotenoids in the ester-rich layer; d. step-wise molecular distillation or any other distillation of the resultant dried ester-rich layer as obtained in (c) to yield a concentrated mixture of tocotrienols/tocopherols, carotenoids and sterols at specific temperature and pressure; e. further trans-esterification of the mixture obtained in (d) containing concentrated tocotrienols/tocopherols, carotenes, sterols, and fatty acids, mono-, di- tri glycerides, for a period of time at specific temperature in the presence of a monohydric alcohol, and base or acid to convert glycerides in the oil to form an ester-super-rich layer and a glycerol-rich layer; and f. repeating the above trans-esterification reactions and step-wise molecular distillations to achieve the desired concentration of tocotrienols/tocopherols, carotenoids, and sterols.