Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil obtained by pressing sunflower seeds. It is widely used as an ingredient for cooking various dishes.
- Refining is the process of purifying the oil from impurities and acids. Each producer uses its own scheme, which may consist of the following stages in different combinations.
- Mechanical purification from unnecessary impurities by filtration, sedimentation and centrifugation.
- Hydration of the oil. Exposure to hot water, up to 70 ºC. Phosphatides precipitate out.
- Alkaline purification produces the purest oil. Hot oil (80-95 ºC) is exposed to alkali and fatty acids are removed. This forms salts that trap pigments and phosphatides.
- Adsorption refining. Special substances: bleaching clay or charcoal draw out the pigment and the oil is lightened. The technique is used to produce margarine.
- Deodorization. The oil passes through steam and is completely deprived of aromatic substances. At the output it has neither taste nor odor.