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Decolorization of meadowfoam estolides using sodium borohydride
Author(s) -
Frykman Hans B.,
Isbell Terry A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/s11746-999-0173-5
Subject(s) - sodium borohydride , chemistry , degree of unsaturation , hydrogen peroxide , catalysis , organic chemistry
Estolides are condensed oligomers of fatty acids made by introducing an ester linkage at sites of unsaturation. Estolides made from meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba ) oil fatty acids have positive effects in personal care formulations and a patent has been applied for. However, estolides prepared by acid catalysis had a color of 12 (Gardner scale) and industrial cooperators desired lower color to increase marketability of meadowfoam estolides. Hydrogen peroxide and hydrogenation did not lower the color of estolide but 1% w/w sodium borohydride at 80°C for 12 h reduced color to 7 on the Gardner scale which was acceptable to the industrial partners for further development. Sodium borohydride decolorization gives a product with good color at a reasonable cost. The sodium borohydride does not have to be used in concentrations higher than 1% w/w and the product loss, which can be several percent with a clay‐based process, is negligible using sodium borohydride.