SEPARATION OF SATURATED AND UNSATURATED-ACIDS FROM RICE BRAN OIL

Rice bran oil, a by-product of rice milling, is an excellent source of a variety of fatty acids. Saponification yielded C-16 saturated and C-18 unsaturated acids. Saturated and unsaturated acids were separated by solvent crystallization. Hexane and methanol were both investigated as solvents. Gas-liquid chromatography and iodine value showed that hexane was the more effective crystallization solvent at a solvent/oil ratio of three and crystallization temperature of 5-degrees-C. The percent yield and purity of 88.8% and 91% unsaturated acids, respectively, and of 65% and 59% saturated acids were obtained. A process description is proposed for an integrated process.