Investigation of the Effect of Particle Size on Avocado-Oil Extraction

ABSTRACT

An investigation of the effect of particle size on the avocado oil recovery by solvent extraction is reported. Experiments were conducted using soxhlet extractor, avocado seed and n-hexane. Samples were grouped into mean particle sizes of 0.25, 0.75, 1.3, 3.3, and 7.5 mm using standard sieves. The effect of particle size was studied for extraction time intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 hours. The oil yield, oil recovered per kg solvent used, kg solvent lost per unit time, and the rate of extraction (kg oil recovered per hour) decreased with increasing particle size. Meanwhile, It was discovered that decrease in the particles sizes of avocado seed increase the yield of the oil. This could be attributed to the increase in surface area of the seed particles.

Keywords: Solvent extraction, avocado seeds, oils, particle size, extraction time.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page                                                                                                         i

Certification                                                                                                     ii

Dedication                                                                                                       iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                           iv

Table of Content                                                                                              v

Abstract                                                                                                           vi

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0. Introduction                                                                                              1

1.1. Background of study                                                                                          1

1.2 Statement of Problem                                                                                4

1.3 Aims and Objectives of Study                                                                   5

1.4 Scope of Study                                                                                                    5

1.5 Significant of Study                                                                                   6

1.6 Limitation Of Study                                                                                   6        

1.7 Definition of Some Terms                                                                         6

 

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review                                                                                      9

2.1 Extraction Methods                                                                                    10

2.2 Factors Influencing Solvent Interaction                                                                11

2.3 Quality Analysis of Avocado Oil                                                               14

2.4 Avocado Oil Composition and Nutritional Benefits                                        19

2.5 Quality of Extracted Oil                                                                                           20

2.6 Optimal Particle Size                                                                                                 21

2.7 Extraction Process                                                                                     21

2.8 Modeling of Solvent Extraction                                                                 22

2.9 Common Extraction Solvents                                                                    24

2.10Avocado Oil Extraction and Purification                                                  26

2.11Soxhlet Extraction Method for Avocado Oil                                             28

2.12Avocado Fruit: Overview and Characteristics                                           29

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods                                                                               31

3.1 Experiment Procedure                                                                               31

3.2 Material/ Equipment                                                                                  31

3.3 Chemical Reagents                                                                                     33

3.4 Avacado Preparation and Experiment Procedures                                      34

3.4. Extraction of the Oil                                                                                 35

3.5 Oil Extraction Process and Procedure                                                        35

3.6 Evaporation Process                                                                                  37

3.7 Degumming Process                                                                                  37

3.8  Procedure Determination of Proximate Composition of Avocado seed     38

3.9 Determina. of the Percentage of Oil Yield Extracted from Avocado seed 38

 

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and Discussions                                                                             40

4.1 Results                                                                                                       40

4.2 Rate of Extraction                                                                                      41

4.3 Amount of Solvent Used                                                                           43

4.4 The Overall Effect of Particle Size                                                             44

 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation                                                              46

5.1 Conclusion                                                                                                46

5.2 Recommendations                                                                                     46

References