Lecture on Processing of Fats and Oils

Introduction

• Lecturer: Professor ABD Karim
• University: University Science Malaysia
• Topic: Processing of fats and oils, focusing on extraction processes

Overview of Oil Processing

1. Raw Material
   • Seeds (e.g. soybean, cotton, sunflower)
   • Oil palm fruits
2. Extraction Methods
   • Solvent Extraction: Uses organic solvents to extract oil
   • Physical Extraction: Uses mechanical presses (e.g., screw press) to extract oil
3. Crude Oil Components
   • Contains undesirable components: free fatty acids, phospholipids, pigments, moisture
4. Refining Process
   • Removes undesirable components from crude oil

Modification of Oils

• Purpose: Modify oil properties for different applications
• Processes:
  • Hydrogenation: Increases melting point and solid fat content
  • Interesterification
  • Fractionation

Sources of Commercial Oil

• Soybean, palm oil fruits, canola, sunflower, coconut, palm kernel, corn, cottonseed, olive, linseed, castor oil

Focus: Palm Oil Extraction

Oil Palm Trees and Fruits

• Oil Palm Tree: Features fruit bunches with sharp thorns
• Fruits: Have a cross-section showing mesocarp, shell, and kernel
  • Mesocarp: Yields crude palm oil
  • Kernel: Yields palm kernel oil

Extraction Process

1. Sterilization
   • Deactivates lipolytic enzymes which cause undesirable chemical reactions
   • Softens fruit to facilitate removal of fruitlets
   • Preconditions kernel for easy shell breaking
2. Stripping
   • Separates fruitlets from fruit bunch
3. Extraction
   • Using screw press to extract oil
4. Clarification and Purification
   • Removes sediments and undesirable components

Factory and Transportation

• Transport: Fruits transported by tractor or train to the factory
• Factory: Consists of sterilizers and processing facilities

Refining

• Purpose: Remove free fatty acids, gums, phospholipids, waxes, pigments
• Methods:
  • Physical refining (using steam)
  • Chemical refining (using alkaline processes)
• Final Products: Refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil (RBD)

Flowcharts of the Process

• Depict stages from transportation of fresh fruit bunch to refined oil production
• Highlight the separation of processes for palm oil and palm kernel oil

These notes summarize the key points and processes involved in the extraction and processing of fats and oils, particularly focusing on palm oil extraction. They include details on equipment, methods, and the overall industrial setup for oil processing.