Abstract
In this study, the extraction of oil from seeds of castor (Ricinus communis) was intended using aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE). After evaluating several enzymes (cellulase, pectinase, hemicellulase and Viscozyme L), the enzymatic cocktail Viscozyme L gave the best oil extraction yield (64 %) at pH 4 and 50 degrees C, and it was chosen for the optimization of the extraction process using a response surface methodology and a central composite design. Under optimal conditions (2% of Viscozyme L, 4 h of incubation time, 200 rpm and a solid to liquid ratio of 1:5), an oil yield extraction of 80 % was achieved using AEE. Compared with oil extracted using solvent extraction, AEE produced an oil with a higher acid and iodine values, but a similar fatty acid composition. Additionally, oxidative stability was higher in oil extracted using AEE, so it can be said that in terms of this parameter, AEE produces a higher quality oil compared to the SE. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) imagines showed that Viscozyme L causes a destruction of cell walls and liposome membranes structure of castor seeds, causing the oil release. The results showed that AEE is a no contaminant extraction technology that can be employed in the industrial extraction of oil from castor seed.