Improvements in or relating to processes of producing a vitamin e concentrate and antioxidant from wheat germ oil, and the products resulting therefrom

摘要

531,224. Vitamin E. GENERAL MILLS. Inc. July 14, 1939, No. 20566. Convention date, Sept. 24, 1938. [Class 2 (iii)] For producing a concentrate of vitamin E and anti-oxidant, wheat germ oil is hydrogenated and extracted with an alcohol such as methyl, ethyl or propyl alcohol, the alcoholic extract being cooled to remove sterols and glycerides; the alcohol is then distilled off and the residue if desired may be further concentrated by saponification and extraction. In an example wheat germ oil is hydrogenated with palladium chloride and after filtering off the catalyst is extracted with methanol vapour, the methanol extract being cooled to separate sterols and evaporated to dryness. In another example the hydrogenation is effected with nickel on diatomaceous earth and after separating the catalyst the oil is shaken with hot methanol in a separating funnel, the extract being cooled to separate sterols and evaporated as before. Any odour may be removed by treatment with steam in a vacuum. Alternatively the hydrogenation may be effected continuously.