Jari Ekblom

Title: Innovations by Jari Ekblom: A Focus on Sterols and Cholesterol Management

Introduction

Jari Ekblom, an accomplished inventor based in Raisio, Finland, has made significant contributions to the fields of nutritional science and health innovations. With a total of seven patents to his name, Ekblom's work primarily focuses on processes related to the isolation of sterols and the development of cholesterol-lowering products.

Latest Patents

Among Jari Ekblom's latest patents is a groundbreaking method for the isolation of sterols, as well as a fraction rich in fatty acids and resin acids derived from tall oil pitch. This innovative process encompasses several critical steps:

- The initial stage involves saponifying tall oil pitch with an alkali, breaking down esters into free alcohols and organic acids.

- Following this, the saponified pitch is acidulated with a mineral acid, successfully converting organic acids in salt form into free organic acids, thus creating both an organic and an aqueous phase.

- The aqueous phase is then separated from the organic phase, and the organic phase undergoes evaporation fractionation to yield a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, alongside a bottom fraction enriched in sterols.

- The final stages involve further fractionation and crystallization purification of the sterols, ensuring a highly efficient recovery process without the addition of alkali between certain steps.

Additionally, he has designed cholesterol-lowering capsules comprising a shell filled with plant sterol ester and/or plant stanol ester and emulsifiers, aimed specifically at reducing serum LDL cholesterol levels.

Career Highlights

Jari Ekblom has built a solid career with his expertise in nutrition and health products. He has worked with notable companies such as Raisio Nutrition Ltd and Raisio Benecol Oy, where he has applied his innovative approaches to develop effective health solutions. His work has earned recognition in the industry, particularly for its potential to enhance cardiovascular health through dietary improvements.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Ekblom has collaborated with esteemed professionals, including Ingmar Wester and Leena Koponen. These collaborations have fostered a synergistic approach to innovation, enabling the development of products that meet the demands of health-conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Jari Ekblom’s contributions to health innovations, particularly in the areas of sterol isolation and cholesterol management, underscore his role as a pivotal figure in nutrition science. His patents reflect a commitment to improving public health through effective dietary interventions, demonstrating the significant impact of inventive thinking in the field of nutrition.