Tech Team · Kintek Solution

Molecular distillation is a specialized technique used to separate and purify heat-sensitive, high-boiling-point, and easily oxidized materials. It is widely applied across industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cosmetics. Examples include the purification of vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential oils; the enrichment of borage oil in γ-linolenic acid (GLA); the recovery of tocopherols from soybean oil deodorizer distillate; and the production of synthetic and natural vitamin E. It is also used for refining high-carbon alcohols, preparing sucrose esters, and purifying functional oils in traditional Chinese medicine. Molecular distillation ensures minimal thermal damage, making it ideal for handling delicate organic compounds and achieving high-purity products.

Key Points Explained:

1. Purification of Vitamins and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids:

   • Molecular distillation is used to separate and purify vitamins (e.g., vitamin E) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) from natural sources. These compounds are heat-sensitive and require gentle processing to avoid degradation.

2. Enrichment of Borage Oil in γ-Linolenic Acid (GLA):

   • Borage oil is a rich source of GLA, a valuable fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties. Molecular distillation is employed to concentrate GLA, enhancing its therapeutic and nutritional value.

3. Recovery of Tocopherols from Soybean Oil Deodorizer Distillate:

   • Tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, are recovered from the by-products of soybean oil refining. Molecular distillation allows for the efficient separation of tocopherols from other components in the distillate.

4. Production of Synthetic and Natural Vitamin E:

   • Molecular distillation is a key step in producing both synthetic and natural vitamin E. It ensures high purity and preserves the bioactive properties of the vitamin.

5. Separation of Capsicum Red Pigment:

   • Capsicum red pigment, used as a natural colorant in food, is separated from solvents using molecular distillation. This process ensures the removal of residual solvents, achieving a high-quality pigment.

6. Handling of Heat-Sensitive Materials:

   • Molecular distillation is ideal for processing heat-sensitive materials, such as volatile spices, essential oils, and bioactive compounds, by minimizing thermal exposure and preventing degradation.

7. Applications in the Food Industry:

   • Used to produce high-quality edible oils (e.g., olive oil, soybean oil, fish oil) and extract natural flavors and fragrances from plant materials. It also aids in the physical deacidification of vegetable oils.

8. Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry:

   • Molecular distillation is used to purify drugs (e.g., antibiotics, steroids) and remove impurities from drug formulations. It is also applied in the extraction of natural health products like carotene and squalene.

9. Applications in the Chemical Industry:

   • Used to purify high-boiling-point solvents (e.g., glycols, polyols) and remove impurities from polymer resins. It is also employed in the synthesis of pure diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A.

10. Purification of Functional Oils in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

    • Molecular distillation is used to extract and purify functional oils from medicinal plants, preserving their natural properties without the need for chemical treatments.

11. Separation of Radioactive Nuclides:

    • In nuclear applications, molecular distillation is used to separate radioactive nuclides from irradiated media, ensuring safe handling and disposal.

12. Recovery of Carotenoids from Palm Oil:

    • Carotenoids, natural pigments with antioxidant properties, are recovered from palm oil using molecular distillation, enhancing their concentration for use in food and supplements.

13. Preparation of High-Concentration Monoglycerides:

    • Molecular distillation is used to produce high-purity monoglycerides, which are widely used as emulsifiers in the food and cosmetic industries.

14. Purification of Silicone Oils and Special Chemicals:

    • Special silicone oils and chemicals are purified using molecular distillation to achieve high levels of purity required for industrial applications.

15. Optimization of Traditional Technologies:

    • Molecular distillation improves traditional production processes, enabling cleaner production, reducing thermal damage, and enhancing product quality.

16. Industrial-Scale Applications:

    • Examples include the production of erucic acid amide (1000 tons/year), dimer acid (1500 tons/year), single glucoside ester (3000 tons/year), and alkyl polyglycosides (500 tons/year) in mainland China.

By leveraging molecular distillation, industries can achieve high-purity products, preserve the integrity of heat-sensitive compounds, and optimize production processes for economic and environmental benefits.

Summary Table:

Key Applications	Examples
Food Industry	Purification of vitamins, essential oils, and edible oils (e.g., fish oil)
Pharmaceutical Industry	Drug purification, vitamin E production, and natural health product extraction
Chemical Industry	Purification of solvents, polymer resins, and specialty chemicals
Cosmetics	Extraction of functional oils and preparation of high-purity emulsifiers
Traditional Chinese Medicine	Purification of functional oils from medicinal plants
Nuclear Applications	Separation of radioactive nuclides for safe handling

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