Process for producing sorbitan fatty acid ester

摘要

The present invention provides an industrially practical process for producing a sorbitan fatty acid ester. The process can significantly reduce unreacted sorbitol or sorbitol intramolecular condensates that are present in the reaction mixtures obtained by the direct esterification of sorbitol or sorbitol intramolecular condensates with fatty acids. Specifically, the process for producing a sorbitan fatty acid ester comprises adding, at the temperature from 60°C to less than 180°C, glycerol to a reaction mixture obtained by direct esterification of sorbitol or sorbitol intramolecular condensates with a fatty acid; and subsequently separating/removing the glycerol phase containing unreacted sorbitol or sorbitol intramolecular condensates.