A simple method for purification of deodorizer distillate from Indian rice (Oryza Sativa) bran oil and preparation of phytosterols

Abstract

Samples of rice bran oil deodorizer distillates (RBO DOD-1 and RBO DOD-2) were studied for their physicochemical characteristics. The samples were semisolid and had a dark color. The free fatty acid values were 59.2% and 86.0%, the unsaponifiable matter was 18.7% and 7.75% and the phytosterol contents were 8.71% and 4.22%, respectively for the deodorizer distillates studied. A simple method of silica gel percolation was developed to purify DOD to obtain phytosterol concentrate fractions (PCF) and a brown color and bad odor fraction (BCBOF). The color values were reduced by 72.8% and 73.0% of lovibond units in the PCF for DOD-1 and DOD-2 respectively, had no bad odor and were increased in the phytosterol concentration to 12.4% and 5.9%. The PCF was further processed to prepare high purity phytosterols. An HPLC analysis of the phytosterol mixture showed it to be formed by β-sitosterol (38.2%), stigmasterol (34.9%), campesterol (9.5%) and other sterols (17.4%).