USING URUGUAYAN PILLARED CLAYS FOR BLEACHING CORN-OIL

In the present paper adsorptive capacity to remove carotenes from a co rn oil by an Uruguayan montmorillonite modified by different treatment s: exchange with Nai ions (M-Na), acid-activation (Act), exchange with Ca and pillaring with Keggin ions (Pilc-Act), acid-activation and pil laring (Act Pil-Ca), is studied. Bleaching action of the Uruguayan mod ified montmorillonites is compared with two commercial days: Tonsil Op timum (Sud-Chemie) and montmorillonite of type K 10 (Aldrich). Our res ults demonstrate that Act and Pilc-Ca samples are so efficient bleachi ng clays as commercials but M-Na sample is lower. Also, mixtures of Pi lc-Ca with commercial clays, added together in one step OF consecutive ly in two steps, are studied. These procedures do not improved the ble aching action. As conclusion, the modified clay Pile-Ca allows to blea ch a neutralized and degummed corn oil, giving an end product similar to edible commercial oils. Such effect is improved with the simultaneo us action with activated clays.