IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO METHODS OF REMOVING STEROLS AND/OR OTHER STEROIDAL COMPOUNDS FROM EDIBLE FATS AND/OR OILS AND/OR FATS AND/OR OILS FROM WHICH SUCH STEROLS AND/OR OTHER STEROIDAL COMPOUNDS HAVE BEEN REMOVED

摘要

A SOLVENT OR SOLVENT SYSTEM TO EFFECT SELECTED REMOVAL OF THE STEROL OR STEROIDAL COMPOUND IS ADDED TO AND MAINTAINED IN CONTACT WITH LIQUID FAT OR OIL FOR A DESIRED TIME AND THE SOLVENT AND EXTRACTED COMPONENTS SEPARATE FROM THE SOLVENT. IN THE EXAMPLES MILK FAT HAS CHOLESTROL THEREIN REDUCED AND THE MILK FAT CONTAINING A REDUCED AMOUNT OF CHOLESTROL USED IN FOODSTUFFS. THE EXTRACTED CHOLESTEROL IS USEFUL AND FAT REMAINING AFTER THE SOLVENT HAS BEEN REMOVED IS USEFUL AS A SOURCE OF DESIRABLE FLAVOURS. THE SOLVENT MAY BE SUBSECTED TO A RECOVERY PROCESS FOR REUSE.