A process for the recovery of phytonutrients such as carotenes,
phospholipids and ubiquinones from palm oil esters is disclosed. This
process comprises the steps of vacuum distillation, treatment and
purification of concentrate containing these phytonutrients. The alkyl
esters is subjected to at least one stage vacuum distillation at
temperature from 80.degree. C. to 220.degree. C. and pressure less than
40 mTorr. The carotenes concentrate is subjected to various physical and
chemical treatments to yield higher carotenes concentration enriched with
ubiquinones in indigenous diacylglycerols.