| abstract |
A process for recovering symmetrical diglycerides from mixtures of mono-, di- and triglycerides is disclosed. The process comprises forming a solution of a glyceride mixture having from 5% to 60% triglyceride, from 15% to 70% symmetrical diglyceride, from 1% to 40% asymmetrical diglyceride and from 8% to 50% monoglyceride in a mixture of non-polar and polar organic solvents in a ratio of 2:1 to 20:1; inducing and maintaining crystallization of the symmetrical diglyceride, e.g., by cooling, while maintaining the temperature of the mixture below the saturation temperature of the symmetrical diglyceride and above the saturation temperature of the remaining components of the glyceride mixture; and recovering solid symmetrical diglyceride product. The process permits recovery of symmetrical diglyceride in a single crystallization step and in high purity. |