At least 1.75 equivalents of calcium oxide to produce an unsaturated fatty acid calcium salt feedstock in a fine, granular free flowing form suitable for cattle

摘要

Described is a method for the preparation of free-flowing calcium salts of highly unsaturated fatty acids, which includes the steps of: (a) providing a fatty acid feedstock consisting essentially of: (i) from about 50 to 95% by weight of unsaturated C:16-C:22 fatty acids; (ii) from about 5 to about 40% by weight of saturated C:14-C:22 fatty acids; and (iii) no more than about 6% by weight of moisture, insolubles and unsaponifables, with no more than about 20% by weight of the unsaturated feedstock being in the form of glycerines; (b) adding to the unsaturated feedstock from about 1.0 to about 2.5 equivalents of calcium oxide relative to the unsaturated feedstock, so that a reactive admixture is formed; and (c) adding to the reactive admixture from 2 to 5 equivalents of water relative to the calcium oxide, so that the calcium oxide hydrates and neutralizes the fatty acids to form the calcium salts; provided that when less than 1.75 equivalents of calcium oxide is added, the unsaturated feedstock comprises at least 25% by weight of the saturated fatty acids and is heated to a temperature above its melting point before the step of adding the calcium oxide. Highly unsaturated fatty acid calcium salts prepared by this method are also disclosed.