Refining

Introduction to the Processing of Fats and Oils

TABLE 8Degumming Processes

Water degumming
Acidwater degumming
Acidbase degumming
Enzymatic degumming
Chelate/detergent degumming
The following degumming method is used with oils that will be caustic refined
(Table 8). In the water degumming process (Figs. 2 and 3) crude oil is mixed with
12% water, mechanically agitated at 70C to hydrate the phospholipids and colloidal
impurities. Water quality is important; water with high levels of dissolved minerals
could interfere with proper degumming. The water and oil mixture is then mildly agitated

Crude oil
Heater

Mixer

Hydrat./
agglom
Centrifuge

FIGURE 2. Water degumming scheme.

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Refining
Introduction to the Processing of Fats and Oils

FIGURE 3. Water degumming diagram.

for 1530 minutes. The water soluble phospholipids and hydrophilic components are
then separated from the oil by centrifugation, and the oil further dried by vacuum.
The following degumming steps are used with oils that are physically refined (Figs.
4 and 5). In the acidwater degumming process crude oil is mixed with 0.0050.1%
citric acid and 12% water at 70C. The acid-water-oil mixture is then mixed for
seconds only. The mixture is then cooled to 45C and allowed to hydrate for 60
minutes. The water-soluble substances are then separated from the oil. Degummed oil
goes to the bleaching process.
In the acidcaustic degumming process (Fig. 6) crude oil is heated to 90C, mixed
with 0.1% concentrated phosphoric acid, and mixed at a high intensity for seconds.
The mixture is allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Then 0.1% NaOH (to neutralize
phosphoric acid) is added and the solution is mixed at a low intensity for seconds. The
low oil content gums are collected as meal. Water is then added to the mixture, and
the degummed oil then goes to bleaching. The high oil gums are then recycled back
into the mixture. This process is not suitable if making lecithin.
A comparison of the nontriglyceride components in an oil (Table 9), after the
degumming process, to the crude canola oil, shows that degumming affects only the
phosphorus content of the oil. Chemical degumming reduces iron content. Neither
refining process reduces chlorophyll content.
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Introduction to the Processing of Fats and Oils

Crude oil
Heat/cool
Mixer
Mixer
Cooler
Hydrat./
agglom
Heater
Centrifuge
(selfdesl.)

FIGURE 4. Acidwater degumming scheme.

FIGURE 5. Acidwater degumming diagram.

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Refining
Introduction to the Processing of Fats and Oils

Crude or
water degummed oil

FIGURE 6. Acidcaustic degumming.

TABLE 9Nontriglyceride Components of Crude, Water-Degummed,

and Chemically Degummed Canola Oil

Free fatty acids, %

Phosphorus, mg/kga
Sulfur, mg/kgb
Chlorophyll, mg/kgc
Fe, mg/kgd

Crude oil

Water
degummed

Chemically (acid)
degummed

0.41.2
300500
315
535
25

0.41.2
100250
315
535
25

0.41.2
550
315
535
< 0.5

Degumming affects only the phosphorus content of the oil.

Sulfur, if present, is not decreased, as in rapeseed.
c
Chlorophyll content is not decreased.
d
Iron content is usually removed to only a minor extent, except in chemical degumming.
b

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