US Patent 7977498 Reduction of sterols and other compounds from oils

A process for the removal of sterols, specifically cholesterol, from a triglyceride oil, preferably a marine triglyceride oil, said process comprising contacting an oil with an absorbent, specifically TRIS YL™, clay or a mixture thereof, heating the mixture to 100° C. to 210° C., preferably 150° C. to 170° C., preferably for a time period of greater than one minute and optionally at a pressure less than 133 Pa, preferably less than 1.33 Pa.