COMPOSITIONS OF FATTY ACID ESTERS OF HEXITANS

摘要

The invention relates to a composition composed of fatty acid esters of hexitans (sorbitans) and non-esterified polyols, having a content of non-esterified polyols in the range of 6.59 wt. % to 0.05 wt. %, and to a process for purification by removing non-esterified polyols from a composition composed of fatty acid esters of hexitans and non-esterified polyols, which process comprises the steps of: a) dissolving said composition in a solution comprising at least one hydrocarbon and at least one polar organic solvent to produce an organic solution of said composition; b) mixing or contacting said organic solution with an aqueous solution of at least one metal salt under conditions effective to extract said non-esterified polyols; and c) separating said organic solution from the aqueous solution, optionally followed by the recovery of the purified fatty acid esters of hexitans.