Oil compositions

Abstract

A refined oil composition having a reduced 3-MCPD ester and/or glycidyl ester content and methods of preparation thereof.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A process for the production of a refined oil having a reduced 3-MCPD ester and glycidyl ester content, the process comprising:
 subjecting an oil to the following steps, in order, and   wherein the oil is an oil derived from palm oil, palm kernel oil, or coconut oil containing 3-MCPD-ester and glycidyl-ester:
 (a) a bleaching step; 
 (b) a deodorization step; 
 (c) a final bleaching step at 50-70° C.; and 
 (d) a final deodorization step, 
   wherein the final deodorization step (d) is carried out at a temperature between 130° C. and 180° C., and   the refined oil has a free fatty acid (FFA) content of less than 0.1%.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the final bleaching step (c) is performed in an oxygen-poor environment. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one alkali treatment step selected from the group consisting of an alkali refining step and an alkali interesterification step. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising an alkali refining step carried out prior to bleaching step (a). 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising an alkali interesterification step carried out between deodorization step (b) and final bleaching step (c). 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one alkali treatment step selected from the group consisting of an alkali refining step and an alkali interesterification step. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising an alkali refining step carried out prior to bleaching step (a). 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the refined oil has a combined 3-MCPD ester and glycidyl ester content of less than 5 ppm. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the refined oil has a FFA content of less than 0.05%. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the final deodorization step (d) is carried out at a temperature between 130° C. and 170° C. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the final deodorization step (d) is carried out at a temperature between 130° C. and 160° C. 
     
     
         28 . A refined oil obtained by the process of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         29 . A refined palm oil having a combined 3-MCPD ester and glycidyl ester content of less than 1 ppm and a taste value, measured according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         30 . A refined oil having an undetectable glycidyl ester content, the refined oil having a taste value, measured according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         31 . A beverage or foodstuff comprising the refined oil prepared by the process of  claim 17 .