Exploring the potential of naturally-derived ionic liquids for sustainable vegetable oil deacidification

Author(s)

Farias, Fabiane O. ; Hijo, Ariel A. C. Toledo ; Mussagy, Cassamo U. ; Ferreira, Ramon S. B. ; Santos-Ebinuma, Valeria C. ; Batista, Eduardo A. C. ; Meirelles, Antonio J. A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING; v. 141, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-01.

Abstract

This work investigated two different approaches for vegetable oil deacidification using an ionic liquid (IL), composed of cholinium cation ([Ch]) and oleate anion ([OLE]), as a solvent to form oligomeric ILs (OILs) potentially, and reactive extraction to form multicomponent ILs (MILs) from different acids. The OIL approach (adding an excess acid into the IL through hydrogen bonding) removed oleic acid (-80%) from a commercial vegetable soybean oil, previously acidified, possibly due to high intermolecular interactions. Through MIL approach, the FFA removal was up to 85%. In this case, the MIL formation occurred concomitant to deacidification as a driving force. Both strategies were evaluated in crude vegetable oil, and the high removal indexes were maintained. Concerning the oil loss, the MIL and OIL approaches result in a significantly lower oil loss (up to 5%) than conventional chemical processes (up to 50%). Finally, envisioning integrated processes, MIL was reused in a new deacidification process, achieving good results (removal of FFA up to 85%). Alternatively, reused MILs and OILs were employed in the 0-carotene and astaxanthin recovery from P. rhodozyma wet biomass, indicating that the obtained IL-based systems could be further used as green solvents for other sustainable extraction processes. & COPY; 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/04178-5 - Use of ethanol associated with ionic liquids in the refining of vegetable oils, and in the production and modification of the physical properties of biodiesel
• Grantee: Fabiane Oliveira Farias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/21252-0 - Equilibrium and production processes of biofuels and bioproducts
• Grantee: Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/15493-9 - Development of ionic liquids-based electroconductive hydrogels
• Grantee: Valéria de Carvalho Santos Ebinuma
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/08655-0 - Development of a sustainable and biocompatible technology for Astaxanthin recovery and purification: a powerful antioxidant with economic value
• Grantee: Cassamo Ussemane Mussagy
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/18608-1 - Development and application of ionic liquids derived from bioactive and natural compounds as functional additives and nutraceuticals for the food industry
• Grantee: Ariel Antonio Campos Toledo Hijo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/04614-2 - Digestion simulation of ionic liquid-based systems for the development of functional food additives
• Grantee: Ariel Antonio Campos Toledo Hijo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor