Refining of edible oil rich in natural carotenes and vitamin E

摘要

The invention discloses a process for the production of a natural carotene rich refined and deodorised oil by subjecting the oil to a pressure in the range 0.003 mbar to 0.08 mbar and a temperature in the range 160 DEG C to 200 DEG C in a short path distiller, and removing free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil by condensation within the distiller. The FFA is preferably removed by subjecting the mixture of the oil and the FFA to an internal condenser system operating at a temperature greater than the melting point of FFA in the oil. The process yields a refined, deodorised oil, in particular palm oil, where the carotene and Vitamin E contained in the feed oil is substantially retained in the processed oil.