Novel oil extraction methods in food industry: A review

Abstract

Many fruits and cereals contain essential oils which are attaining importance in food, drug, and cosmetic
industries owing to their desirability, and nutraceutical properties. Soxhlet extraction is the method used for
isolation of oil of plant material. Usually, plant materials are subjected to mechanical shear using expellers
to release the volatiles in virgin state. A new method of extraction has been solvent extraction involving use
of polar solvents. The disadvantage with the process is the use of hazardous, and flammable liquid organic
solvents, potentially toxic emission during extraction, non-selective extraction, and time consuming. In order
to obtain a good yield of extraction as well as to prevent the uses of volatiles, correct alternative of solvent
is very important. Novel extraction methods like ultra sound extraction, microwave assisted extraction, and
supercritical fluid extraction has been successfully employed for extraction of oils with higher yield, and
better physiochemical, and functional properties. This article reviews the recent work on extraction using
novel methods like ultra sound extraction, microwave assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction.