| Abstract: | An aqueous-enzymatic extraction process of plum kernel oil was investigated on a laboratory scale, varying several processing parameters, with main emphasis on the oil yield. Efficient recovery of oil was related to three operations: pretreatment, enzymatic reaction and separation of oil. Maximum oil yield of about 70% (estimated by the Soxhlet method) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 0.5%, extraction temperature of 45°C, pH 4.5, treatment time of 1 h and dilution ratio of 1:4. The aqueous-enzymatic extraction did not have any determining effect on the fatty acid composition, tocopherol composition, iodine value and saponification value. The free fatty acid content was higher, while the phosphatide content and peroxide value were lower in the oil extracted by the aqueous-enzymatic process as compared to the Soxhlet extracted samples. |
