Abstract
Abstract In this study, the oil extraction process from Australian native beauty leaf seed has been optimised in terms of seed preparation and cracking, seed kernel treatment, moisture content and oil extraction methods. Two methods: mechanical oil extraction using an electric powered screw press and chemical oil extraction using n-hexane as an oil solvent have been applied to extract oil from the seed kernel. Both whole and grated kernels have been used for mechanical oil extraction process. The study indicated that treatment of seed kernel has a significant impact on oil yields for both techniques. It has been observed that kernels prepared to 15% moisture content provided the highest oil yields for both extraction methods. Mechanical extraction using the screw press could produce oil from the prepared kernels at a low cost. In addition, it has been obtained that oil yields by using grated kernels were relatively higher than the whole kernels. However, oil extraction by using this technique is ineffective due to relatively lower oil yields compared to chemical extraction. On the other hand, chemical extraction was found to be a very effective method for oil extraction because of its consistence performance and high oil yield, but cost of production was relatively higher due to high cost of solvent. The outcomes of this study are expected to serve as the basis on which industrial scale oil extraction can be made from beauty leaf seed.
Highlights
The declining reserves of fossil fuels and the growing environmental concerns have stimulated scientists and industries to search for and evaluate alternative fuels for petrol and diesel engines [1,2,3].M.M.K
This study aims to describe the optimisation of oil extraction process from beauty leaf seed in terms of seed preparation and cracking, seed kernel treatment, moisture control as well as oil extraction methods
Seed processing, drying and oil extraction methods have a significant impact on oil yields and the success of beauty leaf as future generation biodiesel feedstocks
Summary
The declining reserves of fossil fuels and the growing environmental concerns have stimulated scientists and industries to search for and evaluate alternative fuels for petrol and diesel engines [1,2,3]. Environmental friendly, non-toxic, portable, readily available and eco-friendly fuel [8,9,10] It (fatty acid methyl esters) is derived from vegetable oils as well as animal fats through the esterification and transesterification reactions of free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides, respectively, that occur naturally in renewable biological sources [1, 11]. It can offer a lot of benefits, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, regional development and social structure especially to developing countries [12]. This study aims to describe the optimisation of oil extraction process from beauty leaf seed in terms of seed preparation and cracking, seed kernel treatment, moisture control as well as oil extraction methods
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
