Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Nebraska Department of Economic Development, State of Nebraska

Sandra Kea

Charles E Walker

Eric Kline

Sugar esters are separated and purified by forming an aqueous mixture containing salt from which water is distilled off to remove unreacted volatile material from the raw sugar esters. Thereafter an organic extraction solvent is mixed into the aqueous mixture which upon standing separates into a plurality of layers containing sugar esters of different degrees of substitution which are recovered from the separated layers. The separated sugar esters may be further refined by mixing with water and by freeze drying the aqueous mixture.

Separation and purification of sugar esters synthesized from both

The invention relates to an improved process for the synthesis of sugar esters carried out in a substantially anhydrous system and in the presence of an organic acid chloride. Any of the known available sugars may be used and in particular hydrolyzate sugars derived from starch are effectively employed in accordance with the present invention to produce sugar esters having superior emulsifying characteristics for use as an ingredient in food products for human consumption.

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Lincoln, NE, United States of America

Sandra Kea