Patent GB-670764-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to methods of obtaining products derived from palm oil
Filed: 1949-10-14
Abstract: Products, particularly a solid vegetable fat and carotene pigments, are obtained from palm oil by separating the oil into two fractions of which one is solid up to a temperature of 30 DEG  C. and the other containing the carotene pigments is fluid at temperatures above 15 DEG  C., alcoholysing the latter fluid fraction with a low molecular weight alcohol using an alkaline catalyst to obtain esters thereof, and subjecting the esters either to rapid distillation in a very high vacuum or to saponification at a temperature below 60 DEG  C.  The separation may be effected by fractional crystallization at 15-16 DEG C.  The alcoholysis of the fluid fraction is preferably effected with methyl alcohol in the presence of an alkaline hydroxide.  Glycerine is removed by decantation and the residue washed with water until neutral, any excess alcohol being distilled off.  The carotene pigments are then extracted from the mixture of methyl esters.  In one method the exters are subjected to rapid high vacuum distillation, e.g. at 0.001 to 0.0001 mm. of mercury, to leave a residue rich in the carotene pigments.  The carotene concentrate may be used as such or it may be purified by chromatographic treatment with alumina or magnesia.  In an alternative method the esters are saponified with a strong alkali hydroxide at below 60 DEG  C. and in a nitrogen atmosphere, the resulting mixture then being evaporated under vacuum.  The soap mixture is then extracted with an organic solvent, such as petroleum ether or chloroform, which extract is finally distilled to remove the solvent leaving the carotene residue. A liquid vegetable oil, such as colza, olive or peanut oil may be added to the extract solution before distilling off the solvent so as to leave the carotene residue in an oily medium. The methyl esters or the soaps thereof may be used as such or converted to fatty acids. Specification 567,682 is referred to.ALSO:Products, particularly a solid vegetable fat and carotene pigments, are obtained from palm oil by separating the oil into two fractions of which one is solid up to a temperature of 30 DEG C. and the other containing the carotene pigments is fluid at temperatures above 15 DEG C. alcoholyzing the latter fluid fraction with a low molecular weight alcohol using an alkaline catalyst to obtain esters thereof, and subjecting the esters either to rapid distillation in a very high vacuum or to saponification at a temperature below 60 DEG C.  The separation may be effected by fractional crystallization at 15-16 DEG C.  The alcoholysis of the fluid fraction is preferably effected with methyl alcohol in the presence of an alkaline hydroxide.  Glycerine is removed by decantation and the residue washed with water until neutral, any excess alcohol being distilled off.  The carotene pigments are then extracted from the mixture of methyl esters.  In one method the esters are subjected to rapid high vacuum distillation, e.g. at ,001 to ,0001 mm. of mercury, to leave a residue rich in the carotene pigments.  The carotene concentrate may be used as such or it may be purified by chromatographic treatment with alumina or magnesia.  In an alternative method the esters are saponified with a strong alkali hydroxide at below 60 DEG C. and in a nitrogen atmosphere, the resulting mixture then being evaporated under vacuum.  The soap mixture is then extracted with an organic solvent, such as petroleum ether or chloroform, which extract is finally distilled to remove the solvent leaving the carotene residue. A liquid vegetable oil, such as colza, olive or peanut oil, may be added to the extract solution before distilling off the solvent so as to leave the carotene residue in an oily medium. The methyl esters or the soaps thereof may be used as such or converted to fatty acids. Specification 567,682 is referred to.