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Hexane and heptane as extraction solvents for cottonseed: A laboratory-scale study

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Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society

Abstract

For many years, commercial-grade hexane has been the preferred solvent for extracting oil from cottonseed. Recent environmental and health concerns about hexane may limit the use of this solvent; therefore, the need for a replacement solvent has become an important issue. Heptane is similar to hexane, but does not have the environmental and health concerns associated with the latter. On a laboratory scale, delinted, dehulled, ground cottonseed was extracted with hexane and heptane. The solvent-to-meal ratio was 10:1 (vol/wt). The yield and quality of the oil and meal extracted by heptane were similar to that extracted by hexane. Extraction temperature was higher for heptane than for hexane. A higher temperature and a longer time were required to desolventize miscella from the heptane extraction than from the hexane extraction. Based on these studies, heptane offers a potential alternative to hexane for extracting oil from cottonseed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA, ARS, SRRC, P.O. Box 19687, 70179-0687, New Orleans, LA

    E. J. Conkerton, P. J. Wan & O. A. Richard

Authors
  1. E. J. Conkerton
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  2. P. J. Wan
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  3. O. A. Richard
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Conkerton, E.J., Wan, P.J. & Richard, O.A. Hexane and heptane as extraction solvents for cottonseed: A laboratory-scale study. J Am Oil Chem Soc 72, 963–965 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02542075

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02542075

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