Refining of Edible Oil

Aman Paul, Dorcus Masih, Priyanka Malik, Sajan Palanchoke, Sachin Verma, Anil Saini and Justin Masih
Need for Refining
Free Fatty Acids Other Impurity (s) Phospholipids

Abstract
Crude oils as received from the extraction plant need to be refined before consumption. Removal of undesired products from crude oils such as free fatty acids, phospholipids, oxidised products, metal ions, colour pigments and other impurities is really important. Refining also aid in preservation of valuable vitamns, to minimize oil losses and protection of the oil against degradation. Refining consists of physical and chemical processes which are carried out to remove undesirable natural as well as environmental-related components from the crude oil. A typical refining process consist of Degumming, Neutralization, Bleaching, Deodorization and Winterization. Degumming is process of removal of phospolipids from the oil. It may be done by processes involving water, acids or enzymes. Neutralization is carried out for removal of free fatty acids. It is done either by chemical or physical processes. Bleaching process is used to oxidize the coloring matter which makes it undesirable. Bleaching earth or activated carbon are used for discolorization. Deoderization is done through pressurized steam distillation, which removes undesirable odors and tastes from the oil. Winterization is the removal of the more saturated glycerides from edible oils so that it remains bright and clear at low temperatures.
1

Credentials
M.Tech (Food Tech) Scholars, SHIATS, SHIATS 2 Executive, Field Fresh Foods, Gurgaon 3 M.Sc (Dairy Science) Scholar, SHIATS O Assist Prof, (Dept. of Food Process Eng.), SHIATS * Assist Prof (Dept. of Chemistry), ECC

Removal of undesirable materials

Color Pigments Oxidized Products

Deodorization

Degumming

Metal Ions

The emulsifying action of phospholipids increases oil losses during alkali refining. Gums lead brown discoloration of oil after heating during deodorization. Salts may be formed with cooper, magnesium,calcium and iron, accelerating oxidative degredation of oil. Certain phospholipids, such as lecithin, find widespread industrial application.

1. Hydratable phosphatides or HP (easy to remove) 2. Non hydratable phosphatides or NHP (hard to remove) Note- NHP need to be hydrolyzed to hydratable through acids.

Deodorization removes these off odors and tastes

Oil has undesirable flavor and taste

Pressure Steam Distillation

Need of Degumming

240270oC

Deodorization reduces the content of many other substances like:

Types of Gums

Sterols Tocopherols Beta Carotene Monoglycerides

Toxins Residues Bleaching Byproducts Sulphur

Oil

30-60 min

Minimize oil losses Protection of oil against degradation

Other Functions

Preservation of valuable vitamins (Vitamin E- Tocopherols)

Mechanism of Hydrolysis

Winterization or Dewaxing
P C P A

NHP
PCPhosphatidic Choline PAPhosphatidic Acid

HP
P C P A

Water
Oil Oil

Water

Water Degumming

Acid Degumming

Enzyme Degumming

In winters sometimes oils solidify

Waxing of Oil

Flow Chart of Refining

Degumming

Process Flow
Oil Cooling to 5-10oC
Ensures Stability of Oils at Low Temperature

Dry acid degumming is suitable for processing oils with low gum contents such as palm oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, etc.

Heat oil to 60 -70 C

Pancreatic phospholi pase A2

adjustment of the optimal conditions for the enzyme reaction, i.e. optimal pH with a citrate buffer and the optimal temperature addition of the enzyme solution

Acid addition and mixing Lecitase Novo (microbi al lipase) Lecitase Ultra (Microbial lipase)

Neutralization

Hydration mixing (30 minutes)

Winterization

Acid Degumming

Centrifugal separation of hydrated gums

enzyme reaction

Ppt Oil Filtration

Vacuum drying of degummed oil Gums - conditioned and absorbed on bleaching earth and are separated by filtration

separation of lysophosphatide from the oil at about 75 C

Bleaching

Water Degumming

Heat oil to 60 -70 C Water addition and mixing Hydration mixing (30 minutes) Centrifugal separation of hydrated gums Vacuum drying of degummed oil Gums -dried for edible lecithin or recombined in meal

Deoderization

In this process large part of hydratable and even a small proportion of the non-hydratable phophatides are removed.

Winterization

Neutralization

Objective
Removal of Free Fatty Acids

Chemical Refining
Heating to 60 to 70 OC

Bleaching

Types

Chemical Refining

Removal by a chemical reaction with alkali(caustic soda)

Activated Charcoal + Bleaching Earth

Colouring matter makes oil undesirable Bleaching is done to oxidize these taints
Oil Tank

Add conc. Phosphoric acid to condition NHP

Give time to react

Mostly Chemical refining is used as it is cheap.

Physical Refining

Removal by distillation at higher temperature and low vacuum

Addition of dil. Caustic soda

Hot water washing

Oil

Programmable Controller