Pilot‐scale two‐phase extraction of canola

An extraction process was developed in our laboratory for rapeseed (canola) with 10% (w/w) ammonia in methanol, containing 5% (vol/vol) water, and hexane to simultaneously produce an improved meal and a high‐quality oil. To remove the hazards associated with the use of ammonia, a two‐phase solvent extraction, with 0.08% (w/w) sodium hydroxide replacing the ammonia, was tested on a semipilot scale with a Szego mill and a Karr reciprocating‐plate extraction column. Flooding curves and appropriate agitation parameters were examined for this system. Then, the effects of polar solvent‐to‐seed ratio, slurry‐to‐hexane flow ratio, plate amplitude and plate agitation frequency on extraction efficiency were investigated. The process is technically viable for industrial application. A meal that contained 0.9% residual oil, 44.4% protein and 2.79 mmol/kg glucosinolates (moisture and oil‐free basis) and a miscella with 19.5% oil were obtained.