Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Alkali Neutralization in the Refining of Safflower Oil to Minimize the Loss of Bioactive Compounds

In this study, ultrasound-assisted (UA) neutralization parameters are optimized using the response surface methodology to develop a novel alkali neutralization method based on the minimal refining concept. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), magnesium oxide (MgO), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) are used in both the traditional (TR) and UA neutralizations. Optimum probe depth, duration, and intensity levels are calculated as 3.7 cm, 25 s, and 54.3%, respectively, for UA neutralization with NaOH, which is more successful at free fatty acid (FFA) reduction and total phenolic content (TPC) retention than MgO and Ca(OH)₂. Validation results of optimum conditions show that lowest average FFA content (0.29%) and highest average TPC (211.2 mg kg⁻¹) are determined for the UA-neutralized safflower oil samples. The comparison of all the neutralization experiments reveal that the UA neutralization under optimum conditions using NaOH reduced 82.8% of the FFA content, whereas the TR alkali neutralization reduced the FFA content at a maximum of only 47.8%. Practical Applications: From the results, it can be inferred that the UA neutralization exhibits good performance in FFA content reduction and bioactive compound retention while offering a good solution within the concept of minimal refining.