METHOD OF PRODUCING EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID OR THE ESTER DERIVATIVE THEREOF

摘要

The present invention provides a continuous method of purifying eicosapentaenoic acid and esters of eicosa- pentaenoic acid, comprising (a) fractionally distilling a starting mixture containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid using a system of at least three distillation columns connected in flow ar- rangement to separate a fraction containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid and other C20 fatty acids from a fraction containing lower-number carbon fatty acids and from a fraction containing higher-number carbon fatty acids, and (b) continuously collecting the fraction containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid. The pressure in the distillation columns is maintained at 10 Torr or below and the bottom temperature of the distillation columns is maintained at 210.degree.C or below.