TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Enzyme: In the hydrolysis of glycerides in the soapstock in the method (A), an alkaline detergent lipase (preferably alkaline detergent lipase obtained from the microorganism Thermomyces lanuginosus), is used. In the hydrolysis of glycerides in the soapstock in the method (B), a non regioselective lipase (preferably lipase obtained from the microorganism of the genus Candida or Geotrichum), is used. A phospholipase (preferably a phospholipase obtained from the microorganism Thermomyces lanuginosus) is added before or after neutralization step (b) or (a1) to facilitate the hydrolysis of lecithin. The lipase of the method (M1) is a lipase of Thermomyces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: In the method (M1), the unreacted fatty acids are transformed into their salts prior to distillation of the fatty acid esters. ACTIVITY - Antilipemic.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    EXAMPLE - Large scale alkaline enzymatic hydrolysis of soapstock, and separation of oil and water phase, was carried out as follows. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the soapstock was performed by addition of lipolase (0.1%). The initial acid value of 124 rose to 170 after a hydrolysis time of 2 hours at 40degrees C. Distillation of fatty acid esters obtained from soapstock and analysis of the sterol content in the bottom fraction, was then performed. The soapstock had an average content of sterols (2%) of which 80% were found in the form of sterolesters. An enzymatic esterification of the soapstock with lipolase was done to an acid value of 30. Comparatively, a chemical esterification of the dried soapstock fatty acids was performed with zinc oxide as catalyst in to an acid value of 5. The two esters where distilled and the bottom fractions were analyzed for their sterol content. In the distillation residue of the chemical esterification a total sterol content of 8.8% with a free sterol portion of 5.3% found corresponding to a sterolester content of 40% in the sterol fraction. In the distillation residue of the enzymatic esterification a total sterol content of 4.6% with a free sterol portion of 0.95% was found corresponding to a sterolester content of 79%. Thus, it was observed that in the enzymatic esterification the sterolesters were not transesterified to a significant amount while in the chemically catalyzed esterification a significant part of the sterolesters was transesterified. The analysis of the distillate and comparison against soybean and rapeseed fatty acid profile, was also performed. The EU Biodiesel norm was adapted to the iodine value typically seen in rapeseed oil methyl esters with a maximum of 120. It was observed that the esters obtained from the soapstock had an iodine value of 110, which fitted in the specification of the EU legislation for Biodiesel fuel EN 14214 (120 specification limit). Additionally the low percentage of linolenic acid was positive, as oxidation problems in Biodiesel were especially attributed to the highly oxidation sensitive linolenic acid content.