Optimization of sunflower grain pressing and its characterization

The continuous screw pressing of oilseeds is noted for its speed, case of handling and for its low cost installation and support, adapting perfectly to small agricultural communities. However, in terms of efficiency, the traditional solvent extraction still has a higher yield. Attempting to improve the screw pressing technique, some researchers had observed that some variables had an influence on oil yield, such as grain moisture content, grain temperature and some construction aspects of the press. In relation to the initial raw material preparation, studies reveal the possibility of finding optimal values of the moisture content and temperature. In this work, the influence of temperature and moisture content on oil yield was evaluated. For the experimental range of values chosen, among the effects studied, the moisture content and the interaction between moisture and temperature were significant, affecting in a negative way the oil yield, to 95% of confidence. The biggest value of oil yield was reached with the moisture content between 8 to 8.5% and the temperatures between 47.8 to 60 ºC. The oil obtained by pressing presented characteristics similar to those of commercial sunflower oil.

response surface; moisture content; temperature; oil yield