A method to refine crude cottonseed oil using non-toxic polyamine-based cationic polymers

Abstract

The traditional method to refine crude cottonseed oil is time-consuming and expensive. This study evaluates the effectiveness of coagulation–flocculation–sedimentation process using quaternary polyamine-based polymers in refining crude cottonseed oil. Flocculated by four commercial polyamine-based cationic polymers (SL2700, SL3000, SL4500 and SL5000) with varied molecular weight (MW) and charge density (CD) and followed by coagulation with sodium hydroxide, crude cottonseed oil can be effectively purified. Free fatty acids, gossypol, pigments and trace elements are all effectively and sufficiently removed by the four polymers in a MW- and CD-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the use of polyamine-based cationic polymers may offer an effective and feasible alternative to the traditional method for crude cottonseed oil refining.