A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. The glycerin rich second liquid phase stream may further be purified to produce a purified glycerin product and a (second) wet alcohol stream. Neutralization of the alkaline stream, formed during the alkali-catalyzed transesterification process, may proceed by the addition of a mineral or an organic acid.

Methods and systems for the production and isolation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from a lipid source are described. The method includes extracting a lipid from a lipid source and transesterifying the lipid into a FAME. The method may also include fractionating the FAME from the system. A method of selectively transesterifying a lipid into a FAME is also described.

Methods and systems for the production and isolation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from a lipid source are described. The method includes extracting a lipid from a lipid source and transesterifying the lipid into a FAME. The method may also include fractionating the FAME from the system. A method of selectively transesterifying a lipid into a FAME is also described.

An object of the present invention is to find a novel substance that is capable of efficiently promoting the proliferation of stem cells while maintaining the undifferentiated state thereof and to provide the substance as an agent for maintaining the undifferentiated state of stem cells or an agent for promoting the proliferation of stem cells. Another object of the present invention is to provide an agent for treating a wound that has a wound healing effect on the skin and is readily available in the field of skin regenerative medicine or cosmetic treatment, and safe and inexpensive. The present invention relates to an agent for maintaining the undifferentiated state or promoting the proliferation of stem cells or an agent for treating a wound, comprising, as an active ingredient, one or a mixture of two or more of fatty acid glycerides represented by the following general formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 represents an acyl group derived from an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 22 carbon atoms and the others each represent an acyl group derived from a saturated fatty acid or a hydrogen atom.

An object of the present invention is to find a novel substance that is capable of efficiently promoting the proliferation of stem cells while maintaining the undifferentiated state thereof and to provide the substance as an agent for maintaining the undifferentiated state of stem cells or an agent for promoting the proliferation of stem cells. Another object of the present invention is to provide an agent for treating a wound that has a wound healing effect on the skin and is readily available in the field of skin regenerative medicine or cosmetic treatment, and safe and inexpensive. The present invention relates to an agent for maintaining the undifferentiated state or promoting the proliferation of stem cells or an agent for treating a wound, comprising, as an active ingredient, one or a mixture of two or more of fatty acid glycerides represented by the following general formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 represents an acyl group derived from an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 22 carbon atoms and the others each represent an acyl group derived from a saturated fatty acid or a hydrogen atom.

This invention discloses a reaction system for producing fatty-acid alkyl esters using liquid film reactors, with countercurrent flow scheme based on the alcoholysis of fats and oils. Reaction system comprises a descending film reactor using semi-structured packing for generating interfacial area. It is fed through the bottom with oil or fat, and with a mixture containing alcohol, glycerol and catalyst through an intermediate stage. Products are a mixture of fatty-acid alkyl esters, alcohol and catalyst and alcohol, glycerol and catalyst, exit via the top and the bottom of the reactor, respectively. Volumetric packing fraction is between 2% and 50%, reaction temperature from 25 to 180° C., molar ratio alcohol to oil between 3:1 and 10:1, and CH3OH, NaOH, KOH, or their mixtures (0.5% to 3% based on the oil mass flow rate). Conversion and yield in a single reaction step are greater than 99.7% and 99.9%, respectively.

This invention discloses a reaction system for producing fatty-acid alkyl esters using liquid film reactors, with countercurrent flow scheme based on the alcoholysis of fats and oils. Reaction system comprises a descending film reactor using semi-structured packing for generating interfacial area. It is fed through the bottom with oil or fat, and with a mixture containing alcohol, glycerol and catalyst through an intermediate stage. Products are a mixture of fatty-acid alkyl esters, alcohol and catalyst and alcohol, glycerol and catalyst, exit via the top and the bottom of the reactor, respectively. Volumetric packing fraction is between 2% and 50%, reaction temperature from 25 to 180° C., molar ratio alcohol to oil between 3:1 and 10:1, and CH3OH, NaOH, KOH, or their mixtures (0.5% to 3% based on the oil mass flow rate). Conversion and yield in a single reaction step are greater than 99.7% and 99.9%, respectively.

OLED materials having the formula: T-A(-S-B(-P-B)m-S-A)n-T where A are independently selected rod-shaped, rigid molecular core units, S are independently selected flexible spacer units, B are polymerisable crosslinking groups independently selected, P are spacer groups independently selected, T are independently selected end groups, m are independently selected from values of from 1 to 4, n is equal to I to 3.

OLED materials having the formula: T-A(-S-B(-P-B)m-S-A)n-T where A are independently selected rod-shaped, rigid molecular core units, S are independently selected flexible spacer units, B are polymerisable crosslinking groups independently selected, P are spacer groups independently selected, T are independently selected end groups, m are independently selected from values of from 1 to 4, n is equal to I to 3.

The present invention relates to a process for carbonylating allyl alcohols at low temperature, low pressure and/or low catalyst loading. In an alternative embodiment, an acylation product of the allyl alcohol is used for the carbonylation. The present invention likewise relates to the preparation of conversion products of these carbonylation products and specifically of (−)-ambrox.