Adsorption efficiency of selected adsorbents in sesame oil miscellas

In a sesame oil miscella (40% and 60%) system the adsorption efficiency for free fatty acids (Q_FFA.) and carotenoids (Q) provided by pine wood carbon (also known as vegetable carbon), two commercial synthetic silica adsorbents, and rice hull ash were compared at different adsorbent dosages (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0%). At all the adsorbent dosages investigated the pine wood carbon achieved a higher Q_FFA than synthetic silicas and rice hull (P < 0.05). This effect was more evident as the carbon concentration decreased (P < 0.05). However, in the case of carotenoids none of the adsorbents exhibited a significant advantage in Q_c (P ≥ 0.50) at any of the adsorbents dosages utilized. Rice hull ash had the highest oil retention, while silicas exhibited an oil retention profile with lower values than that obtained with pine wood carbon (P < 0.10). The results suggest that pine wood carbon might have the same capability as silicas when used with sequential addition of clay in sesame oil miscella refining, with the advantage of higher adsorption efficiency than silicas for free fatty acid adsorption.