Optimization of Process Parameters in Minimal Neutralization of Corn Oil by Response Surface Methodology
摘要
Traditional refining is a crucial process used to remove undesired components such as free fatty acids, phospholipids, and oxidation products from crude oil. However, it also results in the loss of some beneficial minor components, including tocopherols and phenolic compounds. Nutritionally important minor components can be retained through alternative refining approaches like minimal refining that minimize processing intensity and reduce the number of refining stages. Calcium hydroxide has been used as an alternative to sodium hydroxide to reduce neutralization loss since it is cheaper and weaker than sodium hydroxide. The research focused on obtaining neutralized corn oil by calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 instead of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is typically used in traditional neutralization. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the process for producing corn oil via reduced FFA and retained α-tocopherol levels. The elucidated optimum values for the neutralization of corn oil by Ca(OH)2 were at 0.44%, 47.4 °C, and 14.4 min. FFA values for crude, traditional, and minimal neutralized corn oils were 0.21%, 0.20%, and 0.13%, respectively. The α-tocopherol level of the crude, traditional, and minimal neutralized corn oils were 126.43, 100.56, and 125.04 mg/kg oil, respectively.