Patent ID: 8203013

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a substantially glycerin-free fatty acid metal salt, not containing calcium hydroxide, comprising the following steps: combining: a) a fatty acid source containing glycerin esters and selected from the group consisting of: fish oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, pumpkin seed oil, purslane, perilla seed oil, walnut oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, corn oil or combinations thereof; and, b) at least a sufficient amount of a base for reacting with substantially all of said glycerin esters to form glycerin; and a sufficient amount of water to solubilize said base; said fatty acid source, base and water defining a reactant mixture; mixing said reactant mixture at a temperature of between 60-100° C. for a sufficient time and in the presence of an inert gas bubbling through to form an intermediate solution; adding a buffering agent to said intermediate solution to maintain the pH above at least 8.0; and, adding an aqueous metal salt solution to said intermediate solution whereby fatty acid metal salts are formed as precipitates.