Optimization of Oil Extraction Processes from Plant Sources
Summary
Optimising oil extraction from plant sources is central to meeting global demands for edible oils, biofuels and high‐value co-products while minimising environmental impact and production costs. The principal objectives are to maximise oil yield and preserve desirable physicochemical and nutritional attributes. Key process variables include choice of extraction method (mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction), solvent type and polarity, temperature, pressure, extraction time and pre-treatment techniques such as enzyme addition, microwave or ultrasound assistance. Advanced strategies employ design of experiments frameworks to identify optimal parameter combinations. Concurrent attention to energy efficiency, solvent recovery and waste valorisation has spurred the development of green solvents and integrated biorefinery approaches. Together, these advances promise scalable, cost-effective routes to high-quality plant oils and allied bioactive compounds from both mainstream and underexploited botanical feedstocks.
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Optimization of Oil Extraction Processes from Plant Sources publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in optimization of oil extraction processes from plant sources across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Supercritical fluid extraction: Use of fluids above their critical temperature and pressure to selectively solubilise and separate oil components without organic solvents.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction: Application of high-frequency sound waves to disrupt cell walls and enhance mass transfer of oils into a solvent.
Response surface methodology: Statistical and mathematical technique for modelling and analysing the effects of multiple process variables on desired outcomes.
Oxidative stability: Resistance of extracted oils to chemical degradation by oxygen, quantified by measures such as induction time or peroxide value.
Solvent polarity: Measure of a solvent’s ability to dissolve particular oil components, influencing extraction efficiency and selectivity.
Lipid yield: Proportion of oil recovered from a given mass of plant material, typically expressed as percentage by weight.
References
- Terminalia catappa fruit and its industrial application: A review. Applied Food Research (2025).
- Chemical-functional composition of Terminalia catappa oils from different varieties. Grasas y Aceites (2022).
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