Crambe seed processing: Filtration‐extraction on a bench scale

Abstract

Abstract Crambe abyssinica is a potential source of erucic fatty acid and of good quality protein, provided satisfactory methods for processing the seed can be developed. Among the oil recovery methods currently under study is that of filtration‐extraction, a direct solvent process for high‐oil content seeds. Good oil recovery at satisfactory filtration rates was accomplished by a series of processing steps including dehulling, flaking, cooking, drying, crisping and extracting with hexane. When the conventional cook procedure was modified to incorporate an enzyme‐conversion step, significant improvement in rat feeding tests was obtained without loss in subsequent extraction efficiency. The recovered oils from the nonconversion cooks were refined and bleached by conventional procedures to oils of light color. The oil product from the conversion cook apparently contained sulfur compounds, even after refining and bleaching, whose removal will require special treatment as yet undeveloped in order to produce a hydrogenatable oil.