A Study on the Investigation of Diffusion Coefficient for Oil Extraction from Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus L.) Seeds

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the extraction of oil from Pistacia terebinthus L’s seeds grown in Elazig-TURKEY and called menengic in domestic region was investigated. Crude oil content of the seeds obtained from this region was determined as approximately 47% (w/w). Methods: Effects of the parameters such as extraction time, temperature, seeds/solvent ratio (dosage), the particle size of seeds and type of solvent were examined on the oil extraction yield. In this context, it has concluded that up to a certain point, the extraction time has increased the yield of oil extracted. But the extraction temperature showed activity as depending on the solvent type. Results: As expected, it has been observed that the yield of oil has decreased depending on the increase in particle size and dosage as well. The mathematical model obtained by solving Fick's second law under the appropriate boundary and initial conditions were used to calculate diffusion coefficients for the extraction process. Diffusion coefficients for the seeds with a particle size of 0.55 mm were found to be between 1.15x10-11 and 1.86x10-11 m2s-1. To compare the extraction yield of Pistacia terebinthus L’s seeds with that of sunflower at the same conditions, the diffusion coefficients of sunflower seeds were calculated in the range of 9.11x10-12 and 1.13x10-11 m2s-1. Conclusion: These figures show that the diffusion coefficients calculated for both oily seeds are nearly equivalent to each other. The fatty acid composition of extracted oil from Pistacia terebinthus L’s seeds was determined by GC-FID. The GC-FID results showed that oleic, linoleic (ω-6) and palmitic acid were main fatty acids in the oil obtained from menengic seeds.