Abstract
To develop mil fat fractions with desirable physico-chemical properties, anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was fractionated by one- and two-stage extractions using supercritical $CO_2$(SC-$CO_2$). Tow-stage extraction of AMF was performed by first producing tow fractions, an extract and a residue at 4$0^{\circ}C$/241bar, which were subsequently used as the feed for an extraction at 6$0^{\circ}C$/241bar and 4$0^{\circ}C$/345bar, and separated into five and four fractions, respectively, based one extraction time. These fractions were quantified and analyzed for fatty acids and physico-chemical properties. SHort-chain (C4~C8) fatty acids in extract fractions from an extract were 200~150% compared with those of the original AF. Long-chain (C14~C18) fatty acids in extract fractions from a residue were 118~141%. The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in the residue fraction was 131%. Melting point ranged from 22 to 43$^{\circ}C$, iodine value 21.8 to 36.9, and saponification value 255 to 221 in the extract and residue fractions. SC-$CO_2$ fractionation of AMF by two-stage extraction offers the possibility of developing ractions with discrete fatty acid compositions and physico-chemical properties such as melting point, iodine value and saponification value.