PILOT-PLANT EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM VERNONIA-GALAMENSIS SEED

Vernonia galamensis seed containing 40-42% oil and 30-34% epoxy acid, (cis-12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic) was processed to oil and meal. Seed conditioning, pressing and solvent extraction research were conducted in pilot facilities at the French Oil Mill Machinery Co. (Piqua, OH). The robust lipase system was successfully inactivated by treating 200 lb. batches of V. galamensis seed in a cooker/conditioner at 195-200°F and >10% moisture. Conditioned seed was mechanically pressed and the press discharge cone setting was varied during operation from 1/32″ to 3/32″ to demonstrate the feasibility of both full pressing and prepressing. Prepressing successfully reduced oil level in the press cake to ca. 20%. Press cake was extracted with hexane in a 1.5-ft3 batch-type, four-stage percolation unit with a 6″ square extraction cross section. Solvent extraction reduced oil level in the defatted meal to 1-2%. The defatted meal was desolventized and toasted. Excessive foaming of the vernonia oil extract made complete solvent stripping in the oil stripping unit difficult. © 1990 AOCS Press.