Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Oilseeds for Enhanced Oil Extraction: Current Status

Abstract

Enzymatic hydrolysis is a bioconversion process that offers an option for pre-conditioning of oilseeds prior-to conventional oil extraction processes. This pre-treatment breaks down the seeds as it opens up the cell walls by converting the cellulose materials into glucose. It also converts the complex lipoprotein molecules into simple lipid and protein molecules. Therefore, this process helps in obtaining extra oil from various oilseeds (for example, soybean, sunflower, canola, rapeseed, mustard, sesame, peanut). Mathematical models are currently being developed for the kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis procedure. Research and development efforts are being carried out to find the proper methodology and optimum processing parameters (for example, solvent, pH, temperature, enzymatic concentration, hydrolysis period) that will enhance both the oil availability and extractability. Aqueous enzymatic extraction is another promising technique where hydrothermal pretreatment is given prior to oil extraction to activate the native enzymes present in the oilseeds and to loosen their structure for the extraction of extra oil with better quality. This paper focuses on the current status of the application of both enzymatic hydrolysis as well as aqueous enzymatic hydrolysis pre-treatments on the oilseeds in view of obtaining enhanced oil yield with high quality indices.