Triglyceride Fractionation Using Fatty Acid Ester Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fractionating and producing fats and oils rich in triglycerides with saturated fatty acid residues on specific positions and oleoyl or linoleoyl groups are not industrially suitable, lacking efficiency and purity in producing high-quality hard butter equivalents and chocolate tempering agents.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heating and dissolving triglycerides with a specific amount of fatty acid lower alkyl ester, followed by cooling and crystallization, and subsequent solid-liquid separation, with optional addition and filtration of fatty acid lower alkyl ester to enhance crystal polymorphism and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fractionation methods are used to obtain triglycerides with specific saturation patterns, then some triglyceride enrichment is achieved, but the manufacturing precision and purity of hard butter equivalents remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the fractionation process by controlling crystallization temperature ranges and using selective solvents to differentiate between various triglyceride forms (XOX, XXX, XXX-XOX), thereby achieving high purity separation that meets industrial requirements for hard butter equivalents
Solution Approach 2:
The fractionation process is segmented into multiple sequential steps including initial crystallization, filtration, and repeated crystallization cycles, where each step progressively enriches the desired triglyceride fraction while removing impurities, ultimately achieving >90% purity of XOX fat
2Quantity of substance
If fractionation is conducted to enrich XOX fat and XLX fat, then the concentration of desired triglycerides increases, but the productivity and efficiency of the process remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous crystallization and filtration cycles where the filtrate from one cycle becomes the feed for the next, maintaining continuous enrichment of XOX and XLX fats without interrupting the process flow, thereby improving both concentration achievement and overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The process performs preliminary crystallization steps that remove major impurities before final fractionation, preparing the triglyceride mixture in advance for more efficient separation and reducing the time required for achieving high purity concentrations
3Quantity of substance
If crystallization is performed to precipitate crystals, then triglyceride concentration increases, but the filterability and stability of crystals deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes crystallization parameters including temperature gradients, cooling rates, and solvent composition to produce crystals with appropriate size and morphology that maintain high triglyceride concentration while ensuring good filterability for industrial processing
Solution Approach 2:
The process uses selective solvents as intermediaries that facilitate crystal formation and improve crystal-rhombus separation, enabling efficient filtration while maintaining high purity of the desired triglyceride fraction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method improves the stability, yield, and filterability of crystals, increasing the purity and concentration of triglycerides, making it suitable for high-quality hard butter and chocolate applications.
Implementation Method 1
heating and dissolving triglycerides which comprise a specific amount of XOX fat in the presence of a specific amount of a fatty acid lower alkyl ester; and cooling the mixture to precipitate crystals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method of producing triglycerides rich in XOX fat and/or XLX fat, which comprises the steps of heating and dissolving triglycerides (XOX fat and/or XLX fat) which comprise 20 to 60 mass %of a triglyceride having a saturated fatty acid residue on each of the first and third position and an oleoyl group and/or a linoleoyl group on the second position in total triglycerides in the presence of 1 to 30 mass % of a fatty acid lower alkyl ester; and then cooling the mixture to precipitate crystals and conducting solid-liquid separation. This method is a more efficient and industrially suitable fractionation and production method of fats and oils which are rich in a triglyceride (XOX fat and/or XLX fat) having a saturated fatty acid residue on each of the first and third position and an oleoyl group and/or a linoleoyl group on the second position.