Biorefinery methods for extraction of oil and protein from rubber seed

• Published in: Bioresources and bioprocessing Vol. 8; no. 1; p. 45
• Main Authors: Yang, Miao, Zhu, Wenlei, Cao, Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 08-06-2021; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Biochemical Engineering; Biochemical engineering: perspectives in the golden age of bioeconomy; Biopolymer denaturation; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Expulsion; Hexanes; Industrial and Production Engineering; Kernels; Meals; n-Hexane; Oil recovery; Operating temperature; Production methods; Protein denaturation; Protein extraction; Proteins; Rubber; Rubber seed kernels; Screw press expelling; Seed meal; Seeds; Solvent extraction; Solvents; Protein extraction; Rubber seed kernels; Screw press expelling; Solvent extraction
• ISSN: 2197-4365; 2197-4365
• DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00386-2

Rubber seeds are a by-product of rubber production and are rich in oil and protein. Upgrading of rubber seeds to produce proteins, oils and feedstock can generate additional revenue for rubber production and reduce waste. The present study investigates the effects of different pre-treatments and extraction methods to determine the optimal methods to produce oil and protein from rubber seed kernels. Mechanical expulsion using a screw press and solvent extraction using n-hexane were employed for oil separation. The highest oil recovery efficiency of 95.12% was obtained using rubber seed meal that was pre-dried at 105 ℃. The sequential water–alkaline treatment was ideal for achieving high protein recovery while reducing the protein denaturation that can result from high operating temperatures and organic solvent contact. Over 90% of the total protein from rubber seed kernels could be recovered. Separating oil from kernels using hexane followed by protein extraction from the meals by enzymatic treatment provides a suitable method for comprehensive utilization of rubber seeds.