Effect of Process Parameters on Efficiency of a Mechanical Expression Rig for Almond Oil and Its Physico-chemical Properties

Authors

  • VIVIAN C. AKUBUDE Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
  • J. N. MADUAKO Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
  • C. C. EGWUONWU Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
  • A. M. OLANIYAN Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Federal University Oye-Ekitti, Nigeria
  • E. O. AJALA Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • C. I. OZUMBA National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • C. NWOSU National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Keywords:

almond seeds, mechanical expression, expression efficiency and central composite design.

Abstract

The process parameters that can affect the extraction efficiency of a mechanical expression rig (MER) for almond kernel (Terminalia catappa) were investigated in an optimization study using central composite design (CCD). A four factor, five levels of CCD was applied to study the effect of moisture content (6 - 10% w.b), temperature (80 – 100oC), heating time (10 – 26 min.) and applied pressure (5.84 – 7.01MPa) using the chosen rage. The physico-chemical properties of the expressed Almond oil were also determined using standard procedure. The results of the study showed that all the variables significantly affected the expression efficiency at 95% confidence level. The optimum expression efficiency of 76.35% was obtained at temperature, pressure, heating time and moisture content of 93.34oC, 6.44MPa, 17.16 minutes and 8.71% wb respectively. This indicates that the MER performed satisfactorily. The experimental values were very close to the predicted values with p<0.05.The regression model obtained has provided a basis for selecting optimal process parameters for the recovery of oil from almond kernel using the MER. The physico-chemical properties investigated showed that refractive index, viscosity, saponification value, iodine value, free fatty acid value, acid value, peroxide value, flash, and fire points are within 2 the range suitable for many purposes as it showed that it is edible and conforms to CODEX standard for edible oil.

Author Biographies

VIVIAN C. AKUBUDE, Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Agric and Bioresources Enginering, Ex-student.

J. N. MADUAKO, Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria/ Professor.

C. C. EGWUONWU, Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Department Agricultural and Bio-resource Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria/ Ass. Professor.

A. M. OLANIYAN, Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Federal University Oye-Ekitti, Nigeria

Department of Agricultural and Bioresources/ Snr. Lecturer.

E. O. AJALA, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria/ Ass. Professor

C. I. OZUMBA, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Engineering unit/ Head

C. NWOSU, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Engineering and operations/ Deputy Tech Officer

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Published

2018-06-18

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2018): CIGR Journal

Section

IV-Energy in Agriculture