Lecithin added refining

Degumming is a treatment with water (steam), which is mainly carried out with oils of high phospholipid content, e.g., soybean oil.(- lecithin). Alkali-refining is used to eliminate ffa. Almost all edible oils are processed in continuous plants today. The added NaOH forms salts, and the soap-stock ( foots ) is separated in a centrifuge from the oil, which is then washed and dried. Soapstock is a low-cost, valuable source for fatty acids. Steam-refining is done to remove the ffa by steam- distillation. 

The simplest method for modifying natural (crude) lecithin is the addition of a non-reactive substance. Plastic lecithins are converted to fluid forms by adding 2% to 5% fatty acids and/or carriers such as soybean oil. If the additives react with the lecithin to alter the chemical structure of one or more of the phospholipid components, the resulting product is referred to as a chemically modified lecithin. Modification can also be achieved by subjecting lecithin to partial controlled enzymatic hydrolysis. Finally, refined lecithin products can be obtained by fractionating the various phospholipid components. 

The major lecithin sold domestically in commercial quantities is extracted from soybeans. Com and sunflower seed lecithins are available in limited amounts. Canola is being reviewed as a lecithin source in countries that do not grow significant quantities of soybeans. Lecithins may be added to feeds in cmde or refined forms, remain as residuals in solvent- or mechanical-extracted oilseed meals, be returned to oilseed meals as extracted gums or soapstocks at combined solvent extraction-oil refinery operations, or simply be native to an oilseed fed whole. 

The fine ground chocolate powder or paste is conveyed into refining equipment where the rest of the cocoa butter, emulsifying agent (lecithin) and the flavourings are added. 

Degumming. This consists in the removal of the soybean phospholipids, which are dried and sold as soybean lecithin. The crude lecithin, which is dark colored, may be bleached with hydrogen peroxide to produce a light, straw- colored product. Fatty acids may be added to make a fluid product, or the lecithin may be treated with ammonia to form a firm, plastic consistency. More refined grades (pharmaceutical lecithins) are produced by acetone extraction of the entrained soybean oil. 

Chem. Descrip. Special soybean lecithin with added peanut oil Uses Mixing/blending aid, vise, modifier, emulsifier for foods Features Highly filtered fluidized with refined vegetable oil to enable high speed encapsulation low VOCs rec. for encapsulation where clarity and brilliance are required... 

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