The effect of process variables on the physico-chemical properties and oil yield of rubber seed

Abstract

The effect of process variables on the physico-chemical properties and oil yield of rubber seed was investigated. Mechanical
expression and solvent extraction methods were used for the extraction of oil from rubber seed. For mechanical expression, it was
found that oil yield increased from 16.80 to 24.72% as temperature increased from 40 to 80oC at a fixed pressure of 5N/m2, while
varying the pressure from 5 to 8N/m2 showed no significant effect on oil yield. Oil yield increased from 15.80 to 35.80% as time
of extraction increase from 5 to 35min during solvent extraction. Maximum oil yield of 25.24% and 35.80% were obtained
during mechanical expression and solvent extraction respectively. Physico-chemical analysis of the oil obtained during
mechanical expression showed that it has iodine value of 120.1 g I2/100g, acid value of 49.65mg KOH/g, free fatty acid of
24.97% and specific gravity of 0.917. Iodine value of the oil decreased as temperature increased while the acid value, percentage
free fatty acid and specific gravity increased with increase in temperature. The oil is semi-drying oil and is similar to linseed oil
and can partly replace it in industrial processes.