Process to obtain oily, highly purified phosphatidylcholines

摘要

An improved process for obtaining highly purified phosphatidylcholines (lecithin) including a high content of essential fatty acids is disclosed. Raw lecithins are first extracted with a lower alcohol of 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The resulting two phases are separated and the alcohol-rich upper phase is treated with an aluminum oxide adsorbent. Elution of the adsorbent with an alcohol (as in known processes) results in an oily phosphatidylcholine, free of cephalin and inositol phosphatides but possessing a high content of essential fatty acids.