Biorenewable solvents for vegetable oil extraction

Abstract

Abstract A review of the literature pertaining to possible alternatives for hexane as solvent in the extraction of vegetable oils was made. The review was restricted to solvents obtainable from renewable resources and included the most recent technological advances in oil extraction processes. The most promising systems surveyed were based on the use of water, alcohols, ketones, halocarbons, or of liquified and supercritical gases as solvents for oils.