US3480544A

US3480544A - Lecithin compositions

Info

Publication number: US3480544A
Application number: US625958A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walden K Hilty
Original assignee: Ross and Rowe Inc
Current assignee: Ross and Rowe Inc
Priority date: 1967-03-27
Filing date: 1967-03-27
Publication date: 1969-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-25

Description

United States Patent 3,480,544 LECITHIN COMPOSITIONS Walden K. Hilty, Chatham, NJZ, assignor to Ross & Rowe, Inc., Fort Lauderdale; Fla'., a corporation of Florida 7 N0 Drawing. Filed Mar. 27, 19.67, Ser. No. 625,958 Int. Cl. A23k 7/02; C09k 3/00 US. Cl. 252--1' 1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In relatively simple manner, novel, low cost, finely divided, free flowing compositions containing oils and high lecithin content are made available.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commercial lecithin is most widelyused in the food industry and in paint manufacture in two forms. Depending on its Viscosity the material may be liquid or may be plastic in form. The fluid commercial lecithin product containing 62 to 65% soy bean phosphatides can be withdrawn from drums through a valve and entails spillage and other problems attendant the handling of liquids. The plastic lecithin which contains 65.to75% phosphatides, has to be dug from the drums In eithercase heavy drums weighing approximately 500 lbs. are used commercially.

To overcome some of these shortcomings, prior attempts have been made to make lecithin available in a dry, free flowing form. No presently known form is significantly attractive in either cost or physical form.

Dry, free flowing lecithin compositions wherein the lecithin content is absorbed on such materials as sugar and salt have been described. However, these compositions are rendered oil-free to avoid other disadvantages thus increasing their costs considerably.

In other known dry lecithin compositions, the lecithin content is low, for example up to 20% by weight with dextrose and up to 50% with milk solids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The lecithin compositions of the invention are dry, free flowing compositions ranging in lecithin content to percentages, by Weight, higher thanihose commercially available. Significantly, they contain the naturally occurring oils but are greaseless in nature. Accordingly, being dry and greaseless, they can be packed in multiwall paper bags or in light fiber drums. In such containers, the products are easier to handle, being cleaner, and can be weighed out with a minimum of loss.

More specifically, the lecithin compositions of the invention comprise substantially all of the naturally occurring components as derived from soy bean, corn oil, cotton seed, linseed, etc., for example lecithin, oils, fatty acids, etc., absorbed on finely divided silicon dioxide hereafter referred to as silica. Unexpectedly, the absorbability of silica in this form is higher than absorbents previously employed and in particular, oil absorption capacity of 175 cc. per 100 grams of silica has been observed and yet the products are still dry, free flowing, and greaseless. In addition, they contain higher lecithin contents than previously available and, most important, can be manufactured for a fraction of previous costs. Also, lecithin in 3,480,544- 7 PatentedNov. 25, 1969 ice this form is more readily available to the other components with which it might be compounded.

' In accordance. with the invention, the lecithin contents hereby available may range up to 70% by weight of the composition. End use will determine the lecithin content of the composition and, generally, this content may range from 20 to 70% with a preferred range for most uses lying between 30-40% by weight of the composition. As mentioned earlier, these compositions also contain a high percentage of the naturally occurrin goils and fatty acids.

The silicas found suitable in formulatingthe present compositions are finely divided, dry materials having a particle size range of between 5 and 25 millimicron. Commercially available silicas such as Cab-O-Sil silica manufactured by Cabot Corporation and Zerofree silica manufactured by J. M. Huber Corporation are eminently suitable.

In one step in their manufacture, the lecithin containing compositions are centrifuged. By adjustment of the centrifugal speed, the free oil content can be controlled thus resulting in lecithin compositions ranging from liquid to plastic form. Thus, lecithin compositions of controlled lecithin and oil content can be produced.

Any conventional mixing apparatus may be employed to compound the compositions of the invention. Suitable apparatus include ribbon mixers and dough mixers. In practice, the lecithin containing component is added to the silica in the apparatus mentaioncd. When a fluid lecithin is employed the temperature is adjusted between room temperature and F. Higher temperatures ranging from 120 F. to 170 F. are employed when a plastic lecithin is used. Generally, lecithins both liquid and plastic can be mixed with silica in the same manner and in the same proportions.

The following examples will illustrate the invention. Quantities are in parts by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1 To 2 parts of silica, finely divided, having a mean particle diameter of 22 millimicrons, were added 3 parts of a fluid soybean lecithin. This fluid lecithin was a fluid grade material comprising 62% phophatides as acetone insolubles, having an acid number of 28-32 and a moisture content of less than 1%. These components were mixed by simple stirring at room temperature until a uniform mix was obtained. The resulting product consisted of 60% by weight of fluid soybean lecithin and 40% by weight of silica. It was a substantially dry, powdered greaseless product.

EXAMPLE 2 To 2 parts of the silica employed in Example 1 were added 3 parts of a plastic lecithin. The plastic lecithin had an acetone insoluble content of 65%, an acid number of 18-24 and a moisture content of less than 1%. Prior to addition, the plastic lecithin was melted by heating to -150 F. After thoroughly mixing the components, a dry powdered, greaseless product was obtained. The product had a lecithin content of 60% by weight and a silica content of 40% by weight.

EXAMPLE 3 Example 2 was repeated using 15 parts of silica and 35 parts plastic lecithin. The resulting product consisting of 70% by weight of plastic lecithin and 30% by weight of silica was very dry and greaseless powder.

It -will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the foregoing examples are representative of the compositions intended by this invention. In particular, it has been demonstrated that compositions high in lecithin content and oil content but still greaseless and dry can be prepared. In the form here available, these compositions are particularly useful in food and in paint manufacture 3. The product of claim 1 wherein the lecithin content Without requiring a prior oil phase solution. Also, the is 60% by weight of the composition, products can be readily modified for use in fluid systems. 4. The product of claim 1 wherein the lecithin content While mentioned last, the cost of preparing these products i 70% by weight of the composition. is but a fraction of the manufacturing cost of previously 5 made granular lecithins. Referellfies Cited Modified fluid water dispersible lecithin, hydroxylated UNITED STATES PATENTS lecithin and solvent fractionated lecithin can also be 2,693,456 11/1954 Fennell 252-449 utlllliegi the performance of the ll'lVCIltlOIl. 2,885,358 5/1959 Reddie.

1. A dry greaseless, finely divided, free-flowing lecithin 2,986,516 5/1961 Reddle' product consisting essentially of lecithin, naturally oc- ENC S curring oils and free fatty acids in admixture with finely divided silica having a particle size range of between Condensed Chemlcal D lctlonary Remhold 1961 5-25 millimicron, wherein the lecithin content comprises 15 from 70% by weight of the composition. U S cl X R 2. The product of claim 1 wherein the lecithin content comprises from to 40% by weight of the composition. 23-182; 9915; 2528.5, 449