| abstract |
A process is provided for isolating the crystalline chemical compound, cholesterol, from dried whole egg and dried egg yolk obtained from domestic hen eggs. This process provides not only free cholesterol, but also edible whole egg that is reduced in cholesterol and edible egg yolk powder that is reduced in cholesterol. The process includes extraction with aqueous ethanol, saponification in aqueous ethanolic alkali metal hydroxide, and concentration and purification with a hydrocarbon solvent and methanol. The products obtained include free cholesterol, essentially cholesterol-free edible egg powder, i.e., either whole egg or egg yolk, and saponified fats, recovered in the form of their salts. |