3-PHASE EXTRACTION OF CHINESE RAPESEED USING THE KARR COLUMN

The solvent-extraction method developed in our laboratory for canola h as been optimized for the treatment of Chinese rapeseed on bench- and semi-pilot-plant scale. The seed was treated with a two-phase solvent system consisting of methanol containing 10% ammonia and 5% water (CH3 OH/NH3/H2O) as the polar phase and hexane as the non-polar phase. A re ciprocating liquid-liquid extraction column (Karr column) was used for the semi-pilot-plant scale oil extraction of ground seed suspended in CH3OH/NH3/H2O. The effect of interface lever, total flow rate, agitat ion intensity, and the feed ratio of the two streams on extraction eff iciency was investigated. Chinese rapeseed (120 mu m/g of glucosinolat e, 38.7% oil, 26.3% protein) was extracted under the most favourable c onditions. On the bench and semi-pilot-plant scale, the extracted meal contained less than 30 mu m/g of glucosinolates prior to washing, whi ch meets the canola standards and is therefore suitable for animal fee d. By washing the extracted meal twice with CH3OH/NH3/H2O and twice wi th methanol, the glucosinolate content was lowered to 3 mu m/g, which is suitable for the production of protein isolates for human consumpti on.