Methyl ester extraction of sunflower oil in a w i n screw extruder

Abstract

Sunflower oil was extracted from whole sunflower seeds using methyl ester as the solvent. Experiments were conductedin a co-rotating in-screw extruder The oil extraction yield was measured as function of screw configuration and sofcent-to-solid (S/S) ratio. The position of die reverse screw elements affected oil extraction yield Higher oil recovery was produced as the S/S ratio was increased up to 90% of the oil removed from seeds under S/S ratio of 0.65. The methyl ester us thus a promising alternative solvent foi extraction of sunflower oil.