Enzymes in lipid technology and cocoa butter substitutes

This chapter reviews these processes with particular attention to those that are currently in commercial use or are of potential conunerdal significance. 

Conventional methods for extracting oils involve three basic approaches physical, chemical and a combination of both. In all cases the fundamental mechanism is to rupture the cell structure of the oil-bearing plant or animal materials and subsequently or simultaneously remove the oil. Enzymes have found use in oil extraction and their applications can be categorized as enzymes that assist pressing, enzymes that enhance solvent extraction and enzymes that assist aqueous extraction. 

In all these approaches, the enzymes are used to break the cell walls of the oil-bearing material and release the oil. The structure of a cell wall is quite complex and in some cases made up of various strata. In plants where enzyme-aided extractions have been mostly practised, the cell walls are generally made up of compounds such as pectic substances. 

Kamel et al. (eds.), Technological Advances in Improved and Alternative Sources of Lipids Chapman Hall 1994 

Polysaccharide component Rapeseed (% content) Coconut (% content) Com germ (% content) 

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Enzymes in lipid technology and cocoa butter substitutes... 

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