Extraction of Brazil nut kernel oil using green solvents: Effects of the process variables in the oil yield and composition

Abstract

AbstractThe extraction efficiency of isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol was studied, and the effects of the process variables, static time (St), solvent‐to‐feed (S/F) ratio, and temperature (T) in the oil extraction yield (X0), free fatty acids (FFA) content, total phenolic content (TPC), and β‐sitosterol content were statistically investigated. The amount of solvent used (S/F) did not influence the X0, but St and T significantly influenced (p < .05) the X0. The condition that maximized the X0 (60.40%) occurred when a St of 9 min and a T of 86°C were used, and low level of FFA were observed in all oils obtained. The process variables studied did not significantly influence (p > .05) in the content of FFA (0.25–0.28%), TPC (29.10–38.47 mg GAE/kg oil), and β‐sitosterol content (9.51–40.32 mg/100 g oil). Its oil is a high source of unsaturated fatty acid. Pressurized liquid extraction is a promising technique for rapid extraction of oil including Brazil nut kernel. Its process recovered 90.58% of oil in 27 min (3 cycles for 9 min of static time).Practical ApplicationsThe optimization of pressurized green solvent extraction has been studied in order to demonstrate that this technology, even employing polar solvents, provides high yields in oil extraction. It is a technology under study that leaves no residue of toxic solvents on vegetable oils. In this study, the use of pressurized liquid extraction with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and ethyl alcohol (EtOH) as solvents was employed to extract oil from Brazil nut kernel, focusing on the oil rapid recovery as an alternative process to increase the oil yield and improve the use of non‐timber forest product of Amazon biome.