Optimization of Sesame Oil Extraction by Screw-Pressing at Low Temperature

Abstract

Box-Behnken designs were used to optimize aprocess for sesame oil extraction by screw-pressing at lowtemperature (50 °C). Experimental designs included seedmoisture content (SMC), pressing speed (PS), and restrictiondie (RD) as the main processing parameters.Extractions at pilot plant scale showed a peak in oil recovery(OR, 71.1 ± 2.80%) at 12.3% SMC, 4 mm RD,and 20 rpm PS. Theoretical models were scanned againstexperimental data in order to scale up the proposed oilextraction process to industrial scale. A fitted model for OR showed a maximum predicted value similar to thehighest experimental value (74.4 ± 1.23%) under the followingconditions: 8.03% SMC, 10 mm RD, and 20 rpmPS. Chemical quality parameters of oils obtained at bothpilot and industrial scales were in the ranges stated inCodex (FAO/WHO) standards for non-refined sesame oil.