One of the most significant oil seed plants in the world is canola. About 35–40% of canola seed oil is made up of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins E and K. Due to this and other nutrient properties canola oil is considered as the healthiest edible oil. Also, in comparison to other vegetable oils, it has less saturated fat. Now a days oil from the mustard seed is extracted in two types of plants:

> Solvent Extraction plant

> Oil Expeller plant

The Manufacturing Process:

Canola seed Cleaning

First, the canola seeds must be properly cleaned to get rid of any stems, pods, weed seeds, and other items left over following harvesting.

Canola seed Destoning

A destoner is frequently utilized in the processing of canola seeds.  The destoner helps remove impurities such as stones, soil, and other foreign materials from the seeds. This ensures that the seeds are clean and ready for further processing.

Canola seed Pre-Conditioning

The seeds are heated to a specific temperature This softens the seed tissues and makes them more elastic.

Canola seed Flaking

Flaking involves pressing the heated seeds between rollers to create thin flakes. These flakes have a larger surface area, which facilitates oil extraction.

Canola seed Cooking

The flaked seeds are heated to a specific temperature to further rupture the cells and obtains the correct oil viscosity and moisture. This aids in freeing oil from the cells.

Canola seed Pressing

The cooked flakes are pressed using mechanical presses (such as screw presses or oil expellers). The majority of the oil is squeezed out using pressure.  The result is a mixture of oil and solid residue called “press cake.”

Canola seed Solvent Extraction

To extract the remaining oil, solvent extraction process is used.

It has two step, oil Extraction & meal processing.

Canola seed Oil extraction

•         A solvent (typically hexane) is saturated into the press cake. Hexane exhibits a strong attraction to oil.

•         The solvent dissolves the remaining oil, creating a mixture.

•         The oil-solvent mixture is separated, and the solvent is recovered for reuse.

Canola seed Meal processing

After the oil has been removed, the remaining solids is called meal, The meal is desolventised in Desolventiser – to remove the remaining solvent. After it has been cooled, dried & sent to storage. This meal is a good protein source used in animal feed.

Canola Oil Refining and Processing

Solvent extracted oil is crude oil & that needs to be processed to improve its flavour, colour, and shelf-life. Lipids, fatty acids, gums, and small food particles are eliminated by water and organic acids. It undergoes refining

•         Canola oil Degumming: Removes phospholipids (gums) from the oil.

•         Canola oil Neutralization: Addresses free fatty acids.

•         Canola oil Bleaching: Removes color compounds.

•         Canola oil Deodorization: Eliminates any unpleasant odors.

The refined canola oil is now of higher quality and suitable for human consumption.

If you have any queries or need more information about Edible oil refinery plants, solvent extraction plants or oil expeller plants feel free to contact us.