Squalene recovery from olive oil deodorizer distillates

Olive oil deodorization distillate contains squalene in a concentration range of 10 to 30 wt%. A process for its recovery by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is described. The process consists mainly of converting the free fatty acids and the methyl and ethyl esters normally occurring in this by‐product into their corresponding triglycerides. The latter are then extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide to provide a highly enriched squalene fraction. The process has been carried out on a pilot‐plant scale with a column operating in the contercurrent mode. The relationship between the experimental conditions and squalene purity and yield has been studied. Analytical methods were used for the determination of squalene and other components in the fractions. By use of this process, squalene can be recovered in high purity and yields of about 90%.