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/or glycidyl ester content, the process comprising:
 subjecting an oil to the following steps, in order:
 (a) a bleaching step; 
 (b) a deodorization step; 
 (c) a final bleaching step; and 
 (d) a final deodorization step, 
   wherein the final deodorization step (d) is carried out at a temperature at least 40° C. lower than deodorization step (b).   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein steps (b) to (d) comprise:
 i) introducing the oil into a deodorization apparatus;   ii) removing the oil from the deodorization apparatus via an oil outlet positioned such that the oil leaves the deodorization apparatus after an initial deodorization;   iii) subjecting the oil to a final bleaching step; and   iv) reintroducing the oil to the deodorization apparatus via an oil inlet positioned such that the oil enters the deodorization apparatus and is subjected to a final deodorization at a temperature at least 40° C. lower than the initial deodorization.   
     
     
         19 . A process for the production of a refined oil having a reduced 3-MCPD ester and/or glycidyl ester content, the process comprising:
 subjecting an oil to the following steps, in order:
 (a) a bleaching step; 
 (b) a deodorization step; and 
 (c) a final bleaching step, 
   wherein the final bleaching step (c) is carried out at a temperature below 80° C.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the final bleaching step (c) is performed in an oxygen-poor environment. 
     
     
         21 . 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. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising an alkali refining step carried out prior to bleaching step (a). 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising an alkali interesterification step carried out between deodorization step (b) and final bleaching step (e). 
     
     
         24 . the process of  claim 19  further comprising at least one alkali treatment step selected from the group consisting of an alkali refining step and an alkali interesterification step. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 19 , further comprising an alkali refining step carried out prior to bleaching step (a). 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 19 , further comprising an alkali interesterification step carried out between deodorization step (b) and final bleaching step (c). 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the refined oil has a combined 3-MCPD ester and glycidyl ester content of less than 5 ppm and a taste value, measured according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the refined oil has a combined 3-MCPD ester and glycidyl ester content of less than 5 ppm and a taste value, measured according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the refined oil has an undetectable glycidyl ester content and a taste value, measured according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the refined oil has an undetectable glycidyl ester content and a taste value, measure according to Method C, of 8 or more. 
     
     
         31 . A refined oil obtainable by the process of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         32 . A refined oil obtainable by the process of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         33 . 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. 
     
     
         34 . 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. 
     
     
         35 . A beverage or foodstuff comprising the refined oil prepared by the process of  claim 27 . 
     
     
         36 . A beverage or foodstuff comprising the refined oil prepared by the process of  claim 28 .