MAJOR PRODUCT OF VEGETABLE OIL PROCESSING

The major product from vegetable oil processing is the oil extracted.(Mary,1998)
MAJOR BY-PRODUCTS OF VEGETABLE OIL PROCESSING
A number of other commodities, such as cake or meal, hulls, and linters, are
produced jointly with vegetable oil. In the case of corn oil, joint products also
include corn starch; corn sweeteners, including high-fructose corn syrup ;corn gluten
feed; and corn gluten meal. By-products of the degumming and refining processes
also include lecithin soap stocks, deodorizing distillates, and spent bleaching earth.
(Mary,1998)
Cake and Meal
Cake or meal is the residue left after the oil is extracted from a seed, nut, or
kernel. Most cake or meal is used in high-protein animal feeds. Small amounts of
soybean meal (about 2 percent) are used for human consumption. (Mary, 1998)
Hulls
Hulls are the outer covering of soybeans and oilseeds .Hulls are removed from
cottonseeds, sunflower seed, peanut and soybeans, but not from canola prior to
extracting oil. They are used primarily in animal feeds.(Mary,1998)
Linters
Linters are the short fibers that adhere to cotton seed sand must be removed prior
to processing. These fibers have commercial value.(Mary,1998)
Lecithin
Lecithin is a mixed phosphatide product that results from the degumming process.
Food processors use it as a wetting and dispersing agent, an emulsifier, and an
antioxidant .Lecithin also has many uses in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feeds,
and other industries.46 The supply of lecithin is two to three times greater than
the demand. To dispose of excess lecithin, processors may add it to the meal or
dispose of it in the soap stock. (Mary, 1998)
Soap stock
Soap stock, a by-product of the caustic refining process, has commercial value in
animal feed and in the manufacture of soap and other chemicals. In 1992 the
National Oilseed Processors Association changed the name from soap stock to refining
by-product lipid to better reflect the products use as an animal feed. (Mary,1998)
Deodorizing Distillates
Deodorizing distillates contain tocopherols and sterols , both of which have
commercial value. Tocopherols are used to manufacture vitamin E and other
antioxidants. The pharmaceutical industry uses sterols in the production of many
drugs including hormones and steroids.(Mary,1998)
Spent Bleaching Earth
Spent bleaching earth, which is a mixture of clay and oil, must be handled with
care because it is flammable. Processors can add it to animal feed, and the oil
adds calories and the clay reduces caking. It can also be burned as a fuel, mixed
with organic materials and composted, or disposed of in a landfill after treatment
with water to reduce flammability.(Mary,1998)
REFERENCES

Telecon, Zucor, Chuck, Alpha-Gamma Technologies, with Mary Muth, Research Triangle
Institute. February 11, 1998