| abstract |
A process for synthesizing polyol fatty acid polyesters comprising the steps of (1) mixing ingredients comprising (a) unesterified first polyol having hydroxyl groups, (b) second polyol esterified with fatty acids, (c) basic catalyst, and (d) emulsifying agent to form a mixture of ingredients; (2) reacting the mixture of ingredients at a temperature sufficient to obtain a transesterification reaction products and by-products; and (3) removing at least a portion of the by-products from the transesterification reaction mixture; and (4) further heating the transesterification reaction products and ingredients from step (3) at a temperature and for a time sufficient to esterify at least about 50% of the hydroxyl groups of the first polyol. |