International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research
Abstract
This work focused on optimization of oil extraction from Sorrel oilseeds using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Based on Box-Behnken design, 17 experimental runs were conducted to investigate the effects of extraction time, solvent volume and sample weight, and their reciprocal interactions on the oil yield. A quadratic polynomial was obtained to predict the oil yield and the ANOVA test showed the model to be significant (p < 0.05). A statistical model predicted the maximum seed oil yield to be 18.25% at the optimal condition of sample weight, 22 g, solvent volume, 157 ml and time, 2 h. The optimized condition was validated with the actual oil yield of 17.85%, which was well within the range predicted. The fatty acid profile of the oil revealed is highly unsaturated (74.45%) with linoleic acid the highest (44.39%). The physicochemical analysis of oil suggested the oil could have important food and industrial applications
