Method for producing phytosterols from reduced quantities of methanol by crystallization

摘要

A process for the recovery of phytosterols from mixtures with fatty acid esters and methanol by crystallization known per se, filtration, washing and drying, wherein methanol is used in quantities of 25 to 75% by weight, based on the sterols and that after crystallization, the crude sterols are washed with fatty acid esters. Suitable starting materials in this process include the distillation residues obtained, for example, as so-called deodorized condensates in the production of fatty acid methyl esters based on rapeseed oil, sunflower oil or tall pitch oil obtained from birch bark. These phytosterols are suitable for use as food additives.