Fractionation and concentration of omega-3 by molecular distillation

ROSSI, P.; GROSSO, N. R.; PAMPRARO, M.; NEPOTE V.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid: Sources, Health Effects and Role in Disease Prevention

Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Lugar: New York; Año: 2012; p. 1 - 26

Certain oils are a rich source of compounds called omega-3, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids that play an essential role in the human diet because of their ability to prevent disease. These acids participate in the production of hormones involved in several physiological systems regulating pain and moisture, while maintaining adequate blood pressure and optimal levels of cholesterol and promoting nerve transmission. Especially two fatty acids, both omega-3 type, the 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5w3) and the 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6w3) are important functional constituents of the human body. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation. functional constituents of the human body. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation. functional constituents of the human body. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation. w3) and the 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6w3) are important  functional constituents of the human body. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation. w3) and the 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6w3) are important  functional constituents of the human body. The complexity in the preparation process of concentrated omega-3 compounds is mainly based on the similar physicochemical properties of the fatty acids. In this sense, it is difficult to separate them from the other fatty acids in the oil. Simple fractionation processes do not discriminate between different polyunsaturated fatty acids present in an oily mixture, so it is necessary to evaluate the different available alternatives. Nowadays, at commercial production scale, molecular distillation is the most widely used technique. Molecular distillation is a special type of very high vacuum distillation, which takes place in an apparatus constructed so that the distance that the molecules must travel between evaporation and condensation is smaller than their mean free path. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive exposure of the product to deteriorating conditions. This feature makes molecular distillation a good alternative for application in the fractioning process of omega-3 fatty acids. The main objective of this chapter is to present a review where it is discussed, in a theoretical and experimental way, the process of fractionation and concentration of ethyl esters of omega-3, using the falling film molecular distillation.