Kinetics of the cis-trans isomerization of linoleic acid in the deodorization and/or physical refining of edible fats

The cis-trans isomerizations undergone by linoleic acid during industrial d eodorization and/or physical refining of edible fats were studied in an exp erimental discontinuous pilot plant of 250 kg using nitrogen as stripping g as in place of steam. For each oil, the expression of the analytical result s has been made as molar fraction, which is kinetically equivalent to makin g an abstraction from the other components in the reaction bulk and assumes they do not take part in the isomerization. The kinetic constants for the formation of the acids C18:2(9c, 12t), C18:2(9t, 12c)and C18:2(9t, 12t) wer e determined. The equations and values obtained justify that the reaction o rders studied are zero (or can be considered zero) for the time taken in an industrial deodorization and/or physical refining of edible fats. The anal ytical method used is appropriate for direct application of the results in industry.