| abstract |
Starting from a mixture containing tocopherol, fats and/or derivatives of fats, in particular fatty acids, and optionally sterol and/or sterol derivatives, the free fatty acids present in the mixture are esterified using a lower alcohol. The mixture with the lower alcohol is then transesterified in the presence of a basic catalyst. Following the transesterification, excess lower alcohol is distilled off from the reaction mixture. The transesterification catalyst and any glycerin which may be present are separated off and the fatty-acid alkyl ester distilled off from the mixture. The method is suitable for use with many different starting mixtures and does not use any solvents with toxic or polluting effects. High yields are obtained with limited thermal effects. The method can also be carried out economically on an industrial scale. It is possible to isolate tocopherol and sterol simultaneously. |