Sterol concentrates, the preparation thereof, and their use in the transformation of sterols by fermentation

摘要

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a concentrate containing sterol compounds of natural origin, which concentrate is suitable as a starting material for the transformation of sterol compounds by fermentation, which comprises the steps of: (a) transesterifying distillation residues from the processing of natural fats and/or oils with a lower alcohol; and (b) subjecting the product of step (a) to molecular distillation to produce a main fraction having a content of up to about 50 percent by weight of sterol compounds. The invention also relates to sterol concentrates produced thereby and their transformation to valuable secondary products.