NR ATRU
AU Müller,H.; Riesner,D.
TI Thermal degradation of prions in the presence of fats: Implication for oleochemical processes
QU European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 2005; 107: 833-9
PT journal article
AB Bovine tallow is widely used as raw material for oleochemical processes, i.e. the manufacturing of fatty acids and glycerol and their derivatives. The basic oleochemical process, i.e. the hydrolytic fat splitting under industrial conditions of 200-260° at corresponding pressure and a minimum residence time of 20 min, is considered to guarantee the safety of all tallow-derived products. As to the present day no experimental data on the safety of fatty acids and glycerol in case of a hypothetical contamination of tallow with TSE agents under technically relevant conditions are available, the intention of this study was to provide quantitative data for the destruction of prions. This short communication reports the first part of a research project simulating prion inactivation under manufacturing conditions of the upper part of industrial fatsplitting columns (fatty acid regime) on a laboratory scale. To establish worst-case destruction factors, the degradation of prion protein was analysed in dependence upon temperature. The industrial process conditions of the fatty acid regime of hydrolytic fat splitting provide an additional safety factor of at least 1x10^7, confirming that all fatty acids can be regarded as safe, irrespective of their origin.
SP englisch