Method for obtaining phytosterols and/or tocopherols from residue of a distillation of the esters of vegetable oils, preferably from distillation residue from a transesterification of vegetable oils

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for obtaining and purifying phytosterols and/or tocopherols from distillation residue from a transesterification of vegetable oils, in particular from the vegetable oil-based fatty acid methyl ester production for the field of use of biodiesel (FAME), comprising a first transesterification stage for converting partial glycerides contained in the distillation residue; separating the glycerin phase from a reaction mixture resulting from the first transesterification stage; a second transesterification stage for converting sterol esters contained in the reaction mixture; adding water to the reaction mixture after the second transesterification stage in order to generate a multiphase system; simultaneously or sequentially separating the phases of the multiphase system into a substantially sterol-containing phase; a substantially glycerin- and methanol-containing aqueous phase; and a tocopherol-containing methyl ester phase; and obtaining phytosterols from the sterol-containing phase; and optionally obtaining tocopherols from the tocopherol-containing methyl ester phase. The invention further relates to a method for purifying a phytosterol phase and/or phytosterols.