THE IMPACT OF REFINING PROCESSES ON THE QUALITY OF LOWGRADE CORN OIL AND SOAPSTOCK FORMATION

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of alkali refining on the quality of low-grade corn oil and the formation of soapstock. Low-quality oil is characterized by elevated levels of free fatty acids, phospholipids, pigments, and other associated substances, which reduces its consumer properties and storage stability. It has been established that the alkaline neutralization process effectively reduces the acid value and improves the organoleptic properties of the oil. However, increasing the free fatty acid content of the feedstock leads to increased alkali consumption and the amount of soapstock formed. Optimization of refining parameters has been shown to improve the quality of the finished product and reduce neutral fat loss.