Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction of Oil from Rapeseeds
Background:
Vegetable oils and animal fats are important ingredients for several different foodstuffs and non-food products. About 80% of the total market of oils and fats is of vegetable origin [1]. Rapeseed contains oil (40-46%) and protein (20-30%) of high quality, but also glucosinolates which can be critical for both oil and protein quality. Especially if too high concentrations of these compounds or their degradation products are present in the oil and protein products. Novel processing methods of rapeseed have therefore attracted appreciable attention [2].
Oil from rape seed is traditionally produced by a combined process using pressing followed by extraction with organic solvents, like hexane. These organic solvents are recycled. This process creates in principle two products, the oil and the low-valued meal, that is used as feed ingredient or as fertilizer. The content of glucosinolates, the too high content of cellulose and tannins, aromatic cholinesters, and phytic acid in the conventional rapeseed meal still present some nutritional disadvantages. It is only usable for cows. The use of solvents presents a constant danger of explosion or fire risks and pollution [3,4]. In some countries (United States) the building of new factories using hexane to extract the oil is prohibited [5].
