Production of linolenic acid from linseed oil

Abstract

Linolenic acid of more than 95% purity was produced by liquid‐liquid extraction of linseed oil fatty acids with wet furfural and hexane in a Podbielniak centrifugal extractor. The minimum ratio of furfural to linseed acids to obtain this purity was 10 to 1. There was no significant change in product purity for solvent ratios between 10 and 15, operating temperatures from 90Ŷ to 110ŶF., and furfural moisture contents between 1.0 and 2.8%. When the solvent ratio is reduced to 8 or the furfural moisture to 0.2%, purity decreases. Oxidation of linseed acids before extraction also results in decreased separation. An estimate based on pilotplant data indicates a 舠cost to make舡 (excluding administrative and selling expenses, profit, income taxes, and interest on investment) of 18.0 cents per pound of 97% linolenic acid for a process which includes hydrolyzing linseed oil, separating the fatty acids by liquid‐liquid extraction, recovering solvents by distillation, and distilling the fatty acid products. Potential uses for linolenic acid are reviewed.

Fractionation of Geometric Isomers of Methyl Linolenate by Argentation Countercurrent Distribution.

“…(1) all-frans; (2) trans,cis,trans; (3) trans,trans,cis and cis,trans,trans; (4) cis,cis,trans and trans,cis,cis; (5) cis,trans,cis; and (6) all-cis. Positions of the various isomers of isomerized methyl linolenate on capillary gas chromatograms with Apiezon L and 100% cyanoethyl silicone columns are included.…”