L'oreal

Michel Dedieu

Gerard Malle

Herve Burgaud

Eric Lapoirie

Veronique Gurfein

A process for deodorizing a mercapto acid includes extracting malodorous compounds present therein by treating the mercapto acid in the presence of a polar solvent with a supercritical extraction fluid having a critical temperature ranging from 0.degree. to 135.degree. C. and a critical pressure ranging from 10.sup.6 to 10.sup.7 Pascals. The mercapto acid has the formula HS--A--COOH wherein A represents ##STR1## wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4 and R is a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl.

Process for deodorizing a mercapto acid by extracting malodorous

A process for deodorizing a mercapto acid or a polar solvent solution thereof includes extracting malodorous compounds present therein by extraction with carbon dioxide in gaseous, liquid or solid form. The mercapto acid has the formula HS-A-COOH wherein A represents ##STR1## wherein n is an integer ranging from 1-4 and R is linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl.

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Maisons Laffitte, France

Michel Dedieu