Selective esterification of long chain fatty acid monoglycerides with medium chain fatty acids

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for the selective esterification of long chain length fatty acid monoglycerides particularly monobehenin, with, medium chain length fatty acids particularly a mixture of C8 and C10 saturated fatty acids is disclosed. In this process, an at, least about 60 % pure C18-C24 fatty acid monoglyceride or mixture thereof is esterified with an at least about 90 % pure C6-C10 fatty acid or mixture thereof at a temperature of from about 140° to about 250°C in the substantial absence of an esterification catalyst. The mole ratio of fatty acid to monoglyceride used in this monoglyceride esterification is at least about 3:1. Water generated during this monoglyceride esterification is also …