Surfactant-Based Oil Extraction of Corn Germ

An aqueous surfactant-based extraction system was developed for the extraction of corn oil from corn germ with anionic extended surfactants. The surfactants used in this study were sodium linear-alkyl polypropoxylated polyethoxylated sulfates (C-12,C-14-P-10-E-2-SO4Na and C-10-P-18-E-2-SO4Na). Interfacial tension, critical microemulsion concentration (C mu C), and optimum salinity values of the extended surfactants with corn oil were determined. In the extraction process, the ground corn germ was shaken with predetermined surfactant and salt concentrations at room temperature for 45 min. About 83%, the sum of total free oil and total oil-in-water emulsion, of the corn oil was extracted from the corn germ using a formulation of 0.4% C-12,C-14-P-10-E-2-SO4Na and 1% NaCl. A solid/liquid ratio of 1/10 performed best for efficient oil recovery. The chemical compositions of the extracted corn oils were found to be similar to that of hexane extracted corn oil.