Patent GB-464395-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the production of oils rich in vitamins
Filed: 1935-10-19
Abstract: Oils rich in vitamins, in particular vitamin A, are obtained by subjecting oils of low vitamin content, which have been saponified to the extent of not more than about 10 per cent, to short path high vacuum distillation.  The initial oil, such as fish- or animal-liver oil, or a fraction obtained by short path high vacuum distillation, is partially saponified with, e.g. caustic alkali, enzymes, strong organic bases or water alone.  Acids are not generally employed.  The temperature is kept low, and the saponifying agent used in concentrated form preferably as a solution or emulsion.  In examples: (1) to a fraction of shark's liver oil obtained by short path high vacuum distillation, 1 per cent of its weight of NaOH dissolved in the minimum amount of water is added gradually with agitation.  After maintaining at 85 DEG  C. for 1 hr., the soap formed is removed, the liquor degassed by heating in vacuo to 60 DEG  then to 130 DEG  C., and re-distilled at 10<-3> to 10<-4> mm. with a short path of 1\ba1/2\be cms., to obtain a fraction distilling at 200--220 DEG  C.; (2) a fish liver oil is shaken for 1 hr. at 100 DEG  C. with 2 per cent of NaOH dissolved in a little water.  The soap is removed and the product subjected to the short path distillation; (3) a fish liver oil is emulsified by shaking with 5 per cent by volume of water.  It is heated to 95--100 DEG  C. for 7 hrs., washed with NaOH solution then with water, the emulsion broken by centrifuging, the water removed, and the oil short path distilled.  Specifications 415,088; and 438,056, [Group III], are referred to.ALSO:Oils rich in vitamins, in particular vitamin A, are obtained by subjecting oils of low vitamin content, which have been saponified to the extent of not more than about 10 per cent, to short-path high vacuum distillation. The initial oil, such as fish- or animal-liver oil or a fraction obtained by short-path high-vacuum distillation, is partially saponified with, e.g., caustic alkali, enzymes, strong organic bases or water alone.  Acids are not generally employed.  The temperature is kept low, and the saponifying agent used in concentrated form preferably as a solution or emulsion.  In examples: (1) to a fraction of shark's liver oil obtained by short-path high-vacuum distillation, 1 per cent of its weight of NaOH dissolved in the minimum amount of water is added gradually with agitation.  After maintaining at 85 DEG C. for 1 hr., the soap formed is removed, the liquor degassed by heating in vacuo to 60 then to 130 DEG  C., and re-distilled at 10<-3> to 10<-4> mm. with a short path of 1\ba1/2\be cms. to obtain a fraction distilling at 200--220 DEG  C.; (2) a fish liver oil is shaken for 1 hr. at 100 DEG  C. with 2 per cent of NaOH dissolved in a little water; the soap is removed and the product subjected to the short-path distillation; (3) a fish liver oil is emulsified by shaking with 5 per cent by volume of water, it is heated to 95--100 DEG  C. for 7 hrs., washed with NaOH solution then with water, the emulsion broken by centrifuging, the water removed, and the oil short-path distilled.  Specifications 415,088 and 438,056 are referred to.