A process for refining and degumming edible oils by ultrafiltration which produces a permeate fraction with reduced phosphatide content and retentate with increased phosphatide content, and wherein the ultrafiltration membrane is composed of a polymerical polymer of a vinylidene difluoride monomer.
Claim
What is claimed is: 1. A process for treating oil, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the oil with an ultrafiltration membrane, wherein the ultrafiltration membrane comprises a polymer or copolymer of a vinylidene difluoride monomer; (b) separating the oil into a permeate fraction having a reduced phosphatide content and a retentate fraction having an increased phosphatide content; and (c) treating the retentate fraction to produce a lecithin product. 2. The process claim 1, wherein the step of contacting the oil with the ultrafiltration membrane is conducted in the absence of solvent. 3. The process claim 1, wherein treating the retentate fraction further comprises the steps of: (a) adding a solvent to the retentate fraction; (b) contacting the retentate fraction with added solvent with an ultrafiltration membrane, wherein the ultrafiltration membrane comprises a polymer or copolymer of a vinylidene difluoride monomer; (c) separating the retentate fraction with added solvent into a secondary permeate stream and a substantially oil-free secondary retentate stream; and (d) evaporating solvent from the secondary retentate stream to produce a substantially oil-free lecithin powder product. 4. The process claim 1, wherein treating the retentate fraction further comprises the steps of: (a) adding a solvent to the retentate fraction; (b) contacting the retentate fraction with added solvent with an ultrafiltration membrane, wherein the ultrafiltration membrane comprises a polymer or copolymer of a vinylidene difluoride monomer; (c) separating the retentate fraction with added solvent into a secondary permeate stream and a secondary retentate stream; and (d) evaporating solvent from the secondary retentate stream to produce a lecithin product having an acetone insoluble content of about 60 wt% to about 97 wt%. 5. The process claim 1, further comprising the step of adding soap to the oil prior to contacting the oil with the ultrafiltration membrane. 6.
A solvent extraction free, caustic refining free, process for producing refined soybean oil from soybeans is described in which soybeans, after cleaning, cracking and dehulling, are crushed in less than 60 seconds while heating the soybeans to a frictionally generated temperature of from about 300Â F. to about 370Â F. Free fatty acids are then removed through physical refining, instead of previously employed caustic refining, since the low level of nonhydratable phospholipids does not create undesirable flavors during the physical refining process. The resultant oil exhibits a significantly greater frylife that non-hydrogenated soybean oil produced by solvent extraction and caustic refining.
Claim
What is claimed is: 1. A solvent extraction free, caustic refining free, process for producing soybean oil from soybeans comprising: a) heating said soybeans to at least 300° F. ; b) mechanically pressing said soybeans to separate soybean oil from soybean meal; and c) heating said soybean oil to a temperature of from about 450° F. to about 500° F. under a vacuum to remove free fatty acids from said soybean oil. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein said soybeans are heated to at least 300° F. in less than about 60 seconds. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein said soybeans are crushed while being frictionally heated to a temperature of from about 300° F. to about 370° F. 4. The process of claim 1, further including degumming said soybean oil following pressing. 5. The process of claim 1, further including bleaching said soybean oil following pressing. 6.
A solvent extraction free, caustic refining free, process for producing refined soybean oil from soybeans is described in which soybeans, after cleaning, cracking and dehulling, are extruded through a screw extruder in less than 30 seconds while heating the soybeans to a frictionally generated temperature of from about 300Â F. to about 370Â F. These conditions produce soybean oil that is low in nonhydratable phospholipids. As a result, free fatty acids can be removed through physical refining, instead of previously employed caustic refining, since the low level of nonhydratable phospholipids does not create undesirable flavors during the physical refining process. The process also includes conventional degumming and bleaching of the soybean oil after extraction and before physical refining.
Claim
What is claimed is: 1. A process for producing soybean oil from soybeans comprising: a) extracting soybean oil from soybeans in less than about 30 seconds while heating said soybeans to a temperature of from about 300° F. to about 370° F. ; and b) heating the soybean oil to a temperature of from about 450° F. to about 500° F. under a vacuum to remove free fatty acids from said soybean oil. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein said soybean oil is extracted by screw extruding said soybeans. 3. The process of claim 1, further including degumming said soybean oil following extraction. 4. The process of claim 1, further including bleaching said soybean oil following extraction. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein said oil is extracted at a temperature of from about 315° F. to about 350° F. 6. The process of claim 1, wherein said oil is extracted in from about 10 seconds to about 15 seconds. 7.