Transformation of sunflower whole plant by twin-screw extrusion technology according to an aqueous process: direct applications of the fractions obtained as bases for industrial products

Abstract

Aqueous extraction of sunflower oil is a reasonable environment-friendly alternative to the solvent extraction. It can even be realized directly from the whole plant using the twin-screw extrusion technology. Co-rotating twin-screw extruder behaves like a chemo-thermo-mechanical reactor. Equipped with a filtration module, it allows to separate extract and raffinate in a continuous mode and in a single step. This only apparatus carries out three essential unit operations: conditioning and grinding of sunflower seeds, liquid/solid extraction and liquid/solid separation. Starting from whole plant is a promising new way of extraction. Thanks to the fibers of the stalk, wringing out the mixing is favoured. The process can also be considered as an original and powerful solution for fractionating and value-adding to sunflower since obtained fractions may have direct applications in industrial products.