Continuous Catalyst-Free Esterification of Oleic Acid in Compressed Ethanol

The esterification of oleic acid in a continuous catalyst-free process using compressed ethanol was investigated in the present study. Experiments were performed in a tubular reactor and variables investigated were temperature, pressure, and oleic acid to ethanol molar ratio for different residence time. Results demonstrated that temperature, in the range of 473 K to 573 K, and pressure had a positive effect on fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) production. In the experimental range investigated, high conversions can be obtained at low ethanol concentrations in the reaction medium and it was observed that oleic acid to ethanol molar ratios greater than 1 : 6 show no significant increase in conversion. Nonnegligible reaction conversions (>90%) were achieved at 573 K, 20 MPa, oleic acid to ethanol molar ratio of 1 : 6, and 20 minutes of residence time

Obtention of Free Fatty Acids of Macauba Oil (Acrocomia Aculeata) in Organic Solvent Free System

The present study aimed to investigate the enzymatic hydrolysis of oil Macaúba, to obtain a hydrolyzate rich in free fatty acids (FFA) for later use in step esterification. The effect of process variables (percentage of catalyst, temperature and water content) was evaluated in the FFA yield, using a factorial experimental design 23, where the positive and significant effect of the variables was observed. The results reported yields of 50.5% in FFA in 6 hours of reaction at 60ºC, water percentage of 15 wt% and catalyst percentage of 5 wt%

Low-pressure solvent extraction of oil from macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp: characterization of oil and defatted meal

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to extract the oil from macauba pulp using a low-pressure solvent extraction, as well as characterisation of the extracts and defatted meal obtained using different solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and isopropanol). Results reported higher yields in oil, 27.43%, using isopropanol (P<0.05), wherein the highest levels of β-carotene in the extract, 348.30mg 100g-1, were obtained with this solvent. In the composition of the extracts, monounsaturated fatty acids were predominantly found, and it was reported that the type of solvent had no significant influence (P>0.05) on the composition; however, in the quantification of free glycerol compounds, isopropanol showed higher levels, 104.15mg 100g-1, of these compounds (P<0.05). Meals had higher ash, protein and fibre content when compared to pulp. Thus, oil removal can be stated to promote water retention capacity; however, it has no influence on the other technological characteristics evaluated