Optimization of Enzymatic Degumming Process for Sunflower Oil using Response Surface Methodology: Efficiency and Oil Yield

Abstract

Response surface methodology was used to study the optimum processing conditions for enzymatic degumming of sunflower oil. Degumming assays were performed using a phospholipase A1 (Lecitase® Ultra) and an acyltransferase (LysoMax® Oil). A 2k-1 fractional factorial design was carried out to simultaneously study the effects of pH, temperature, enzyme concentration, buffer/substrate ratio and time on the phosphorus content. For the response obtained, a polynomial model was developed through multiple linear regression analysis. Lecitase® Ultra was affected by all studied factors while the buffer/substrate ratio did not significantly influence the performance of LysoMax® Oil. The optimum conditions to achieve the lowest phosphorus content were reached at 50 °C, pH 5 and an enzyme dosage of 200 U/kg of oil during 90 minutes using Lecitase® Ultra and 59 °C, pH 5.9 and an enzyme dosage of 197 U/kg of oil during 89 minutes using LysoMax® Oil. Under optimal conditions, the phosphorus content decreased to less than 3 mg/kg with both enzymes. The oil yield was 96.80 g/100g and 96.85 g/100g with the treatment using phospholipase A1 and acyltransferase respectively.