Researchers at Chulalongkorn University have developed a groundbreaking method to extract high-quality rice bran oil using liquefied dimethyl ether (LDME), a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hexane-based extraction. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to meet the growing global demand for premium, vegetable oils. The study’s findings highlight the potential of LDME to replace hexane, a toxic solvent, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable oil industry.
A New future for Rice Bran Oil Extraction
The worldwide market for premium sustainable oils to fit this requirement is growing, and with its high content in γ-oryzanol, rice bran oil has entered the list of key sought-after dark horses. Nonetheless, the traditional extraction manner makes use of hexane that’s a volatile solvent and consequently poisonous in addition to environmental hassle.
To overcome this, researchers from Chulalongkorn University developed a new approach using liquefied dimethyl ether (LDME) as an extraction solvent. The researchers reported a comprehensive study in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, aiming to holistically evaluate LDME for the first time against hexane by investigating its solubilization capability, extraction efficiency, and quality of resultant oil. The results were striking as they demonstrated for the first time that LDME was superior to hexane regarding a reduction in solvent usage, shorter extraction times and lower pressures with equivalent extractions.
Safer and sustainable extraction concept
Phannipha Daisuk, lead author of the study said: “By using rice bran hexane oxidation as little as possible to rice oil extraction it should be replaced by another method with more safety and environmental friendly like LDME. Almost rassana the sustainability of their by-products excellent home new text 277 results that same experimental team found after his release starting in home, they discovered that extraction process remained a coal save seek to harming structures of protein and cerebrovascular issue on different mannersises for resisted.
The study also contrasted LDME with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2), another possible solvent substitute. These results confirm the potential of LDME compared to SCCO2, which required a higher solvent-to-rice bran ratio and also needed co-solvents to obtain similar extraction efficiencies .
Opening The Door to a Sustainable Future in Rice Bran Oil
These results provide great insights for the environmentally friendly production of RB-oils, and suggest that LDME could become a competitive competitor to replace hexane. The team’s work could change the face of edible oil production for a greener, more sustainable and cost-effective future.
The next step will be to expand its scale and perform a complete techno-economical and environmental assessment. The mature technique of LDME might contribute towards sustainable and high-quality oil supply in support of the healthy lifestyle practices demanded by more global consumers, this includes use of premium rice bran oil with inherent environmental considerations.
