摘要 |
The present invention provides a process for producing a highly pure phytosterol, at high yield in particular, by an easy treatment from a crude fatty acid ester derived from a vegetable fat and/or oil. That is, the present invention provides a process for producing phytosterol, which comprises (A) bringing a crude fatty acid product derived from a vegetable fat and/or oil including phytosterol into contact with a mixed solvent of an organic solvent and water to crystallize the phytosterol and separating the crystals from the mixed solvent; or (B) mixing a crude fatty acid ester derived from a vegetable fat and/or oil including the phytosterol and a fatty acid ester with a lower alcohol, allowing the mixture to stand at a temperature of 1 to 40° C. to precipitate crystals including the fatty acid ester and separating the crystals to take the lower alcohol solution including the phytosterol.
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