Enzymatic degumming: Degumming efficiency versus yield increase

Abstract

Enzymatic degumming trials were performed on crude extracted soybean (SBO) and rapeseed oils (RSO) with a microbial phospholipase A1 (Lecitase Ultra®). We obtained a degummed oil with a phosphorus content < 10 mg/kg when applying an enzyme dosage of 30 mg/kg and (feedstock dependent) a contact time of 10–120 min. While a good degumming efficiency can already be obtained after a relative short reaction time, it was observed that a longer reaction time (1–2 h) is required for complete degradation of the phospholipids (PL), which results in a yield increase. We demonstrated that Lecitase Ultra® has no specificity for a given PL, but that the rate of conversion depends on the PL composition of the crude oil. After 60 min, 80% of phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) was degraded to its lyso‐form while only 40% of phosphatidyl inositol (PI) was converted in the same time interval. The formation of glycerophospholipids (GPL) was only observed after 60 min reaction.Practical applications: Practical advantages and disadvantages of the use of Lecithase Ultra for enzymatic degumming of oils is described, focusing on soybean oil and rapeseed oil. The information will be valuable and important for the oil refining industry.Degumming of soybean and rapeseed oils with phospholipase A1 (Lecithase Ultra) was performed and it was demonstrated that there is no specificity for a given phospholipid. However, the conversion rate depends on the phospholipid composition of the crude oils.