Evaluation of pilot scale cashew (Anacardium accidentale L.) oil extraction process in Laboratorio de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Carabobo

Abstract

This research focuses on pilot scale extraction, characterization and purification of cashew oil by using a Sohxlet equipment. An experiment design is used in extraction in order to set better operative conditions. Variables interaction and its influence on the process are analyzed. From oil proximal analysis following results are obtained: moisture 6.744%, ash 2.842%, calcium 0.0267%, fiber 1.768%, protein 19.29 6%, free fat 43.5335%; this results are attached to expected. 28% yield was obtained by using 1 kg of seeds and 6.0 L of solvent (n-hexane). Seed batch and solvent volume are important variables in extraction process, being no interaction between them. From oil characterization next properties were defined: saponification index 181.8 mg KOH/g, iodine 71.4 cg I/g, acidity 1.23 mg NaOH/g, peroxide 1.8 meq O2/g, refraction index 1.472 1, pH 5.5, relative density 0.89844, dynamic viscosity 71.6 cP, color 2.5 red/ 25 yellow. Fatty acid profile lets define this oil as linoleic.

Keywords

• extraction
• cashew oil
• characterization
• proximal analysis