PURIFYING CRUDE PUFA OILS

摘要

A process for preparing an oil mixture of an φ6 PUFA (such as ARA) with φ3 PUFA (such as DHA and/or EPA) is described which can be included into edible formulations such as foodstuffs, and in particular infant formulas. A crude φ6 PUFA (e.g. ARA)-containing oil is admixed with a crude φ3 PUFA (e.g. DHA or EPA)-containing oil to produce a crude oil mixture (or blend). This mixture is then purified before addition to a foodstuff. Alternatively, a crude φ6 PUFA-containing oil is treated, and a crude φ3 PUFA-containing oil is also treated, and the two purified oils are then blended prior to deodorising and then added to a foodstuff. The purifying includes acid and/or alkali treatment, bleaching, deodorization, filtering, polishing or cooling. The purifying removes trace metals, pigments, carbohydrates, proteins, sulphur, sterols, mono- or di- glycerides from the oils which renders them suitable for human consumption.