Besides the information concerning the separation of
palmitic/(oleic + linoleic) acids from palm fatty acid distillate
mixtures, the extraction experiments show that the separation
of squalene from fatty acid mixtures in countercurrent columns
using supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent is feasible. This is
due to the fact that squalene is more soluble in SC-CO2 than fatty
acids (palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids) and -tocopherol. Based
on the distribution coefficients of palm fatty acids components
and the results of extraction experiments, it is, therefore, possible
to conclude that the complete separation of palmitic acid from
(oleic + linoleic) acids needs at least two extraction steps, as the
distribution coefficient of palmitic acids lies between those of
squalene and (oleic + linoleic) acids.