Effects on lutein adsorption of adding polar solvents to silicic acid or to soy oil/hexane miscellas

Polar solvents limit adsorption of lutein from a soy oil miscella on silicic acid by competitive adsorption. Water and selected alcohols were added to miscella and adsorbent to observe if the mode of adding solvent affected lutein adsorption. No differences were produced by the method of addition. However, different mechanisms of limiting lutein adsorption were observed. Isopropanol limited lutein adsorption by competitive adsorption. Water was less competitive because it was less soluble in the miscella and was more thermodynamically stable as free water. Propanediol, a polyol, totally inhibited lutein adsorption by binding silica particles together. This study may have implications for silicic acid adsorption of oil components from hydrolyzed oils in which glycerides and free glycerol are present.