IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,241,910
Granted Patent B2
US 7,241,910 · App. 10/523,728 · Granted Jul 10, 2007

Processes for producing conjugated linoleic acid

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,241,910
App. No.
10/523,728
Granted
Jul 10, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Processes for producing conjugated linoleic acid are described which comprise: (a) isomerizing a linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an alkali metal alcoholate to form a conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester; (b) saponifying the conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an aqueous lye to form a saponification product; and (c) neutralizing the saponification product with phosphoric acid.

Claims (19)

1. A process for producing conjugated linoleic acid, said process comprising:

(a) isomerizing a linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an alkali metal alcoholate to form a conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester;

(b) saponifying the conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an aqueous lye to form a saponification product; and

(c) neutralizing the saponification product with phosphoric acid.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the linoleic acid lower alkyl ester corresponds to the general formula (I):

R 1 CO—OR 2   (I)

wherein R 1 CO represents an acyl linoleyl group and R 2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the isomerization is carried out at a temperature of from 90 to 150° C.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the saponification is carried out at a temperature of from 40 to 90° C.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the saponification is carried out until from 80 to 100% by weight of the conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester is saponified.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the saponification product is neutralized at a temperature of from 50 to 90° C.

7. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising phase separation following neutralization.

8. The process according to claim 7 , wherein the phase separation is carried out at a temperature of from 50 to 100° C.

9. A process for producing conjugated linoleic acid, said process comprising:

(a) isomerizing a linoleic acid lower alkyl ester corresponding to the general formula (I), in the presence of an alkali metal alcoholate to form a conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester, wherein the isomerization is carried out at a temperature of from 90 to 150° C.:

R 1 CO—OR 2   (I)

wherein R 1 CO represents an acyl linoleyl group and R 2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms;

(b) saponifying the conjugated linoleic acid lower alkyl ester in the presence of an aqueous lye to form a saponification product, wherein the saponification is carried out at a temperature of from 40 to 90° C.; and

(c) neutralizing the saponification product with phosphoric acid at a temperature of from 50 to 90° C.