The method of producing a lipid composition comprises an extraction treatment step to extract a lipid comprised in a hydrated raw material by using an extraction solvent comprising a polar solvent and a nonpolar solvent, and a separation treatment step to separate an extract solution obtained in the extraction treatment step into a polar solvent phase comprising a first lipid fraction and a nonpolar solvent phase comprising a second lipid fraction.

Provided are methods to destabilize emulsion feedstocks. In the methods, a moderate temperature is applied to the feedstock to create a first mixture. The moderate temperature may be between 120 and 220 degrees Celsius. The first mixture is mixed at the moderate temperature, such as by staged mixing in some embodiments. Moreover, the first mixture is retained at the moderate temperature for up to six hours. The first mixture is separated into an oil phase, convoluted phase, and a water phase. In some embodiments, the moderate temperature may be 125 to 150 degrees Celsius, such as between 125 and 130 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the first mixture may be retained at the moderate temperature for between forty-five minutes and four hours, such as from two to four hours. The separation may occur at the moderate temperature.

Provided are methods to destabilize emulsion feedstocks. In the methods, a moderate temperature is applied to the feedstock to create a first mixture. The moderate temperature may be between 120 and 220 degrees Celsius. The first mixture is mixed at the moderate temperature, such as by staged mixing in some embodiments. Moreover, the first mixture is retained at the moderate temperature for up to six hours. The first mixture is separated into an oil phase, convoluted phase, and a water phase. In some embodiments, the moderate temperature may be 125 to 150 degrees Celsius, such as between 125 and 130 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the first mixture may be retained at the moderate temperature for between forty-five minutes and four hours, such as from two to four hours. The separation may occur at the moderate temperature.

A method for manufacturing a functional material that contains plasmalogen, the method including treating an animal tissue containing plasmalogen with protease, and extracting the animal tissue treated with protease with an extraction liquid containing ethanol.

Provided is a means for preparing a free ceramide (Cer) from a glycosyl inositol phospho ceramide (GIPC). Specifically provided is a composition for digesting a glycosyl inositol phospho ceramide (GIPC) or a glucosylceramide for producing a free ceramide, the composition comprising a mushroom self-digestion liquid or purified product thereof.

Provided is a means for preparing a free ceramide (Cer) from a glycosyl inositol phospho ceramide (GIPC). Specifically provided is a composition for digesting a glycosyl inositol phospho ceramide (GIPC) or a glucosylceramide for producing a free ceramide, the composition comprising a mushroom self-digestion liquid or purified product thereof.

A process for purification of phytosterols, said process comprising, a. providing a liquid mixture comprising a phytosterol, lower alcohol, wherein the lower alcohol is present in an amount of from 25 to 800% by weight, based on the amount of phytosterol; b. cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals, wherein the crystals are formed at a temperature of from of from 10° C. to 75° C., preferably 15° C. to 50° C., more preferably 20° C. to 45° C., even more preferably 25° C. to 35° C. c. separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture by filtration; d. subjecting the phytosterol crystals to washing with a solvent system comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent to obtain purified phytosterol; e. optionally repeating step (d); f. drying the washed phytosterol crystals; g. optionally melting and drying in molted state to remove traces of remaining solvent; and h. optionally subjecting to a particle-forming process to obtain solid sterol particles.

The present invention concerns a method of extracting and refining wax from plant material. Briefly, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing plant material comprising cuticular wax, (b) disassociating cuticular wax from the plant material by subjecting said plant material to a dry mechanical treatment and suspending the dry mechanically treated material, or a fraction thereof, in an aqueous solution comprising protease and/or pectinase enzymes, thereby obtaining a sample comprising plant derived cuticular wax and dewaxed plant material in an aqueous suspension, (c) solubilizing the plant derived cuticular wax by increasing the temperature of the sample, (d) separating the suspension into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction comprising melted plant derived cuticular wax, (e) adjusting the pH and temperature of the liquid fraction to pH 5.5 or lower and 50° C. or lower, respectively, (f) separating the mixture into a waxy fraction and an aqueous fraction, (g) recovering the plant derived cuticular wax from the waxy fraction.

The present invention concerns a method of extracting and refining wax from plant material. Briefly, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing plant material comprising cuticular wax, (b) disassociating cuticular wax from the plant material by subjecting said plant material to a dry mechanical treatment and suspending the dry mechanically treated material, or a fraction thereof, in an aqueous solution comprising protease and/or pectinase enzymes, thereby obtaining a sample comprising plant derived cuticular wax and dewaxed plant material in an aqueous suspension, (c) solubilizing the plant derived cuticular wax by increasing the temperature of the sample, (d) separating the suspension into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction comprising melted plant derived cuticular wax, (e) adjusting the pH and temperature of the liquid fraction to pH 5.5 or lower and 50° C. or lower, respectively, (f) separating the mixture into a waxy fraction and an aqueous fraction, (g) recovering the plant derived cuticular wax from the waxy fraction.

The present invention relates to waxes useful for cosmetic applications having stable oil-in-water emulsion-forming properties and, in some embodiments, stable gel-in-water-forming properties. In some embodiments, the waxes exhibit self-emulsifying properties, and can be produced without the addition of any other substances to achieve the emulsion (e.g., co-emulsifiers, hydrophilic polymers, polar surfactants, rheological modifiers, gelling agents). The waxes generally comprise: (a) polyglyceryl fatty acid ester, (b) a glycerol fatty acid ester, and 9c) a fatty alcohol. In particular embodiments, the polyglyceryl fatty acid ester can be a polyglyceryl-2, -3, or -4 fatty acid ester, and the fatty chain lengths of (a)-(c) can range from C12 to C22. In more particular embodiments, the waxes can comprise polyglyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate, and stearyl alcohol. Gels, oil-in-water emulsions, and other compositions produced from the waxes, as well as uses and methods relating thereto, are also disclosed.