A method for purification of a triacylglyceride oil comprising the steps of concentrating the insoluble components in the melted triacylglyceride oil, by applying a centrifugational force on the liquid triacylglyceride oil whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; and/or allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; and separating the triacylglyceride oil from the insoluble components. A triacylglyceride oil obtained by the method of the invention for use in food production is also provided.

The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which process comprises passing the feed mixture through one or more chromatographic columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, wherein the temperature of at least one of the chromatographic columns through which the feed mixture is passed is greater than room temperature.

The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which process comprises passing the feed mixture through one or more chromatographic columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, wherein the temperature of at least one of the chromatographic columns through which the feed mixture is passed is greater than room temperature.

A new process for enriching triterpene esters comprising: providing a mixture comprising a non-distilled vegetable oil and/or a non-distilled vegetable fat, further comprising triterpene esters, performing a mild transesterification with a lower alcohol, removing lower alcohol esters by deodorization, physical refining, evaporation or distillation, and recovering the remaining fraction rich in triterpene esters. Triterpene esters enriched with the method as well as uses of the same are also provided. One advantage is that it is a more economically viable way of achieving higher concentration of triterpene esters. There is both the chance to fully keep the natural distribution of triterpene esters but in the other end also to replace the natural level of cinnamic and acetic acids-triterpene esters with a high level of long fatty acid triterpene-esters.

A new process for enriching triterpene esters comprising: providing a mixture comprising a non-distilled vegetable oil and/or a non-distilled vegetable fat, further comprising triterpene esters, performing a mild transesterification with a lower alcohol, removing lower alcohol esters by deodorization, physical refining, evaporation or distillation, and recovering the remaining fraction rich in triterpene esters. Triterpene esters enriched with the method as well as uses of the same are also provided. One advantage is that it is a more economically viable way of achieving higher concentration of triterpene esters. There is both the chance to fully keep the natural distribution of triterpene esters but in the other end also to replace the natural level of cinnamic and acetic acids-triterpene esters with a high level of long fatty acid triterpene-esters.

The present invention relates to the use of short-path evaporation for reducing from deodorized triglyceride oils the content of propanol components selected from chloropropanols, chloropropanol fatty acid esters, epoxypropanols, epoxypropanol fatty acid esters, and combinations of two or more thereof. It further relates to the use of short-path evaporation wherein further the content of acyl glycerol components is reduced and these acyl glycerol components are selected from diacyl-glycerols, triglycerides with molecular weight in the range below 730 and mixtures of two or more thereof.

The present invention relates to the use of short-path evaporation for reducing from deodorized triglyceride oils the content of propanol components selected from chloropropanols, chloropropanol fatty acid esters, epoxypropanols, epoxypropanol fatty acid esters, and combinations of two or more thereof. It further relates to the use of short-path evaporation wherein further the content of acyl glycerol components is reduced and these acyl glycerol components are selected from diacyl-glycerols, triglycerides with molecular weight in the range below 730 and mixtures of two or more thereof.

A method is provided for preventing or reducing the formation of monochloropropanediols (MCPDs) or monochloropropanediol esters (MCPDEs) in triacylglyceride oil, comprising the steps: (a) concentrating insoluble components in liquid triacylglyceride oil by (i) applying a 5 centrifugational force on the triacylglyceride oil whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; and/or (ii) allowing the insoluble components to settle by gravitational force whilst maintaining the triacylglyceride oil above its melting temperature; (b) separating the triacylglyceride oil from the insoluble components; (c) optionally applying additional refining steps and (d) applying heat treatment to the triacylglyceride oil. A purified 10 triacylglyceride oil obtainable by the method of the invention is also provided.

The present invention relates to a fixed bed decolorization process for an polyunsaturated fatty acid, comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid or a polyunsaturated fatty acid solution is either passed directly through a filler of the fixed bed or recycled in a filler of the fixed bed, a colorless or light-colored polyunsaturated fatty acid product is ultimately produced, at the same time, other than the color, other qualities of the polyunsaturated fatty acid remain unaffected. The decolorization process allows continuous operation or intermittent operation. The filler of the fixed bed comprises one or a mixture of activated carbon, diatomite, carclazyte, silicone and an ion-exchange resin. An upper or a middle or a bottom or a combination thereof is employed to feed a polyunsaturated fatty acid feedstock or a polyunsaturated fatty acid solution. The filler in the fixed bed can be used repeatedly. The filler can be reused after being washed when decolorization effects thereof become deteriorated or ineffective.

The present invention relates to a fixed bed decolorization process for an polyunsaturated fatty acid, comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid or a polyunsaturated fatty acid solution is either passed directly through a filler of the fixed bed or recycled in a filler of the fixed bed, a colorless or light-colored polyunsaturated fatty acid product is ultimately produced, at the same time, other than the color, other qualities of the polyunsaturated fatty acid remain unaffected. The decolorization process allows continuous operation or intermittent operation. The filler of the fixed bed comprises one or a mixture of activated carbon, diatomite, carclazyte, silicone and an ion-exchange resin. An upper or a middle or a bottom or a combination thereof is employed to feed a polyunsaturated fatty acid feedstock or a polyunsaturated fatty acid solution. The filler in the fixed bed can be used repeatedly. The filler can be reused after being washed when decolorization effects thereof become deteriorated or ineffective.