How Are Oils Extracted From Fruits, Nuts And Seeds?
There are three major methods used today in extracting oils from fruits, nuts and seeds. There is the “hydraulic cold press” method, the “expeller press” method, in which oil-containing material is subjected to great heat and pressure, and the “solvent” method. In the case of solvent extraction, oil-containing products are ground, steam heated and then mixed with a solvent. After releasing the oil from the pulp, the solvent is removed from the oil. Some persons object to this method, claiming that a residue of the solvent might remain and possibly contribute to the development of cancer in persons using the oil for food. Solvent extraction, however, is used by large commercial oil processors because it is the most efficient and economical method. After the oil has been extracted it usually is subjected to a refining process. This removes, among other things, chlorophyll, vitamins A and E and phosphorous compounds, and makes the oil light and clear. Because refining strips valuable subs
