Physical Refining VS Chemical Refining for Edible Oil

Vegetable oil refining process is further segregated into two major processes i.e. physical and chemical. Edible oils and fats are refined for the purpose of removing free fatty acids (FFA) and other impurities in order to make it fit for human consumption while maintaining its nutritional value.

“Refining” is generally referred to the processes designed for neutralizing free fatty acids (FFA) in the edible oils by introducing alkali and via centrifugal separation of heavy phase insoluble material. Refining also involves the removal of other colour bodies, phospholipids as well as soluble and insoluble impurities. The term is applicable to both physical and chemical process as both of them perform similar tasks. Physical refining operations involve degumming, bleaching and deodorizing systems which is also referred to as steam refining system. 

 Miscella refining is quite similar to chemical refining but has few specific considerations.

 

Differences Physical Refining VS Chemical Refining for Edible Oil

·         The major difference amid chemical and physical refining lies in the chemical process. In chemical refining, neutralization occurs in such a way that it removes free fatty acids and reduces its content as well as the content of carbohydrates, oxidation products of free fatty acids, and parts of the pigments and traces of metals. 

·         Then the next difference occurs when oil is treated and it reacts with the present free fatty acids which are then converted into soapstock. Once the mixture separates the oil from the free fatty acids, the impurities are drawn off. At that moment, the oil is washed with water for removing the soap and then it becomes ready for the deodorizing process. 

·         After that water is mixed with the under layer of the soap, the large proportion of it becomes the soapstock which can further be sold to the manufacturers. It can be used for making candles as well as for making feed. However, in physical refining, the fatty acids are removed via steam distillation and this process is quite similar to the process of deodorization. Physical refining requires high temperature due to the low volatility of fatty acids. 

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