The invention discloses an efficient synthesis and
separation method of a
phytosterol ester. The method comprises the following steps: mixing
phytosterol, a
fatty acid and a catalyst to carry out an
esterification reaction so as to obtain a crude product of the
phytosterol ester, wherein the catalyst is formed by taking Cu(NO3)2 as an
active component and nano-hydroxyapatite as a carrier; and filtering the obtained crude product of the phytosterol ester, then mixing the crude product with a crystallizing
solvent according to the
molar ratio of 1-(1 to 10), carrying out adsorption bleaching and cooling
crystallization at -18 DEG C to 10 DEG C for 18 to 30 hours so as to obtain the phytosterol ester. The crystallizing
solvent can be of an octanoic acid, methyl caprylate,
ethyl acetate or
caprylic triglyceride. In a separation and purification process, the food-grade octanoic acid, methyl caprylate,
ethyl acetate or
caprylic triglyceride is selected as the crystallizing
solvent, so that the safety is high, a crystallized product is high in purity, an
organic solvent is not needed, and the crystallizing solvent can be repeatedly recycled. Thus, a novel simple, rapid, safe and environmental-friendly method for industrial production of the phytosterol ester is provided.