Method for extracting phytosterols from tall oil pitch

A method for extracting phytosterols from tall oil pitch. The method involves saponifying tall oil pitch using an alkali in a polyatomic alcohol, extracting unsaponified matter from the alkali-alcohol solution using a hydrocarbon solvent, subsequently removing the solvent by distillation, and concentrating the phytosterols, wherein a mixture of paraffin hydrocarbons is used as said hydrocarbon solvent, and, following extraction from the extraction solution, betulin is isolated by crystallization and the phytosterols are then concentrated by means of rectification. This method enables an increase in the extraction rate of phytosterols from a saponified tall oil pitch up to 95%, producing the end product with phytosterol content of at least 65% with unwanted betulin impurities at no more than 0.3%.