METHODS FOR THE SEPARATION OR PURIFICATION OF VITAMIN E TOCOPHEROLS AND TOCOTRIENOLS FROM LIPID MIXTURES

摘要

This invention generally relates to the isolation of molecules exhibiting vitamin E activity e.g. tocopherols and/or tocotrienols from mixed lipid feedstocks. In alternative embodiments the inventions provides methods and industrial processes for isolating vitamin E molecules including tocopherols and/or tocotrienols from mixed lipid feedstocks by combining the feedstock with an alcohol and reacting the mixture at or above the critical point of the alcohol and then optionally separating the products into discreet fractions.