PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject lecithin which can be preserved for a long term, is extremely stable and useful as a cosmetic compounding material or another additive by bringing the iodine number of a hydrogenated lecithin to a specific level or lower.SOLUTION: This lecithin is obtained by hydrogenating natural lecithin (preferably natural yolk lecithin) preferably at 20-40°C for 48-72 h in a reaction solution containing a mixed solvent comprising an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon (preferably n-hexane), an aliphatic alcohol (preferably ethanol) and water at a volume ratio of preferably 100:(20-30):(10-300) in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst such as platinum-activated carbon catalyst in a hydrogen atmosphere to bring the iodine number of the final product to &le0.3, preferably &le0.1. This lecithin is useful as a compounding ingredient of medicines, functional foods or the like.COPYRIGHT: (C)2000,JPO【課題】 長期保存可能なレシチンを提供すること【解決手段】 水素雰囲気中、水素化触媒の存在下、非極性溶媒と極性溶媒との混合溶媒を含有する反応液中で、天然のレシチンを水素化することにより、ヨウ素価が0.3以下の水素添加レシチンが提供される。好ましくは、長時間の反応時間を採用し、かつ水素添加レシチンをアセトンで析出させる。
