IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,244,856
Granted Patent B2
US 7,244,856 · App. 10/896,486 · Granted Jul 17, 2007

Processes for recovering phytosterols via crystallization

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,244,856
App. No.
10/896,486
Granted
Jul 17, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Processes for recovering phytosterols are described. The processes comprise: (a) providing a liquid mixture containing a phytosterol, methanol, and one or more additional compounds, wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 25 to 75% by weight, based on the phytosterol; (b) cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals; and (c) separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture.

Claims (16)

1. A process for recovering phytosterols, said process comprising:

(a) providing a liquid mixture comprising a phytosterol, methanol, and one or more additional compounds, wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 25 to 75% by weight, based on the phytosterol;

(b) cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals, wherein the crystals are formed at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.; and

(c) separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 30 to 50% by weight, based on the phytosterol.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixture comprises a phytosterol-containing fraction produced via transesterification of an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil and soybean oil.

4. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid mixture comprises a phytosterol-containing fraction produced via transesterification of an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil and soybean oil.

5. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising washing the separated phytosterol crystals with a fatty acid ester.

6. The process according to claim 2 , further comprising washing the separated phytosterol crystals with a fatty acid ester.

7. The process according to claim 3 , further comprising washing the separated phytosterol crystals with a fatty acid ester.

8. The process according to claim 4 , further comprising washing the separated phytosterol crystals with a fatty acid ester.

9. A process for recovering phytosterols, said process comprising:

(a) providing a phytosterol-containing fraction produced via transesterification of an oil selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil and soybean oil, the fraction comprising a phytosterol, methanol, and one or more additional compounds, wherein the methanol is present in an amount of from 30 to 50% by weight, based on the phytosterol;

(b) cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals, wherein the crystals are formed at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.; and

(c) separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture.

10. The process according to claim 9 , further comprising washing the separated phytosterol crystals with a fatty acid ester.