Deacidification of oils and fats of biological origine by aqueous solutions of tertiary amines

Deacidification of triacylglycerols by extraction is investigated using aqueous solutions of amines os extractants. Tertiary amines with boiling points ranging between 100 degrees and 170 degreesC, such as 2-methylamino-diethanol, 2-dimethylamino-ethanol, 4-methylmorpholine, 1-dimethylamino-2-propanol etc, were found to be suitable substances. Especially the deacidification by aqueous solutions of 2-dimethylamino-ethanol (DMAE) was amply investigated as it is used as on active agent in remedies. Amazingly gelatinous soap stocks are not formed when the concentration of DMAE exceeds 20% if the free fatty acid content of the oil is below 15%. Two liquid phases are formed in systems composed of triacylglyceroles and aqueous solutions containing 20 to 80% DMAE. Palm oil containing 4.3 wt.% free fatty acids was mixed with an equal amount of an aqueous solution of 30 wt.% DMAE at 60 degreesC. In equilibrium an extract containing 86 wt.% free fatty acids (solvents deducted) and a raffinate of 0.09 wt.% free fatty acids are obtained. loss of neutral oil being 0.7 wt.%.