A simple method for purification of deodorizer distillate from Indian rice (Oryza Sativa) bran oil and preparation of phytosterols.

Samples of rice bran oil deodorizer distillates (RBO DOD-1 and RBO DOD-2) were studied
for their physicochemical characteristics. The samples were semisolid and had a dark color. The free fatty acid
values were 59.2% and 86.0%, the unsaponifiable matter was 18.7% and 7.75% and the phytosterol contents
were 8.71% and 4.22%, respectively for the deodorizer distillates studied. A simple method of silica gel percolation
was developed to purify DOD to obtain phytosterol concentrate fractions (PCF) and a brown color and
bad odor fraction (BCBOF). The color values were reduced by 72.8% and 73.0% of lovibond units in the PCF
for DOD-1 and DOD-2 respectively, had no bad odor and were increased in the phytosterol concentration to
12.4% and 5.9%. The PCF was further processed to prepare high purity phytosterols. An HPLC analysis of the
phytosterol mixture showed it to be formed by β-sitosterol (38.2%), stigmasterol (34.9%), campesterol (9.5%)
and other sterols (17.4%).