A process to manufacture conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-containing materials
such
as conjugated linoleic salts and acids that are enriched in desirable cis-9, trans-11-
and trans-10, cis-12-CLA isomers and are low in certain undesirable isomers. The
process generally entails isomerization of an alkyl ester of a linoleic acid-containing
material at a temperature typically between about 90 to 140 C. to effectuate
conjugation of the double bonds, followed by saponification of the resultant CLA-containing
fatty acid ester to produce a CLA-containing fatty acid salt, optionally followed
by neutralization of the CLA-containing fatty acid salt with an acid source to
produce a CLA-containing fatty acid.
