Optimization of Physical Refining Process of Camellia Oil for Reduction of 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-Diol (3-MCPD) Ester Formation Using Response Surface Methodology on a Laboratory Scale

Refined and deodorized camellia oil has been reported to contain a high amount of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) due to the high-temperature deodorization step. To reduce 3-MCPDE in camellia oil, the physical refining process of camellia oil was simulated on a laboratory scale. Response surface methodology (RSM) was designed to modify and optimize the refining process with five processing parameters (water degumming dosage, degumming temperature, activated clay dosage, deodorization temperature and deodorization time). The optimized new refining approach achieved a 76.9% reduction in 3-MCPDE contents, in which the degumming moisture was 2.97%, the degumming temperature was 50.5 degrees C, the activated clay dosage was 2.69%, the deodorizing temperature was 230 degrees C, and the deodorizing time was 90 min. A significance test and analysis of variance results demonstrated that the deodorization temperature and deodorization time contributed significantly to the reduction of 3-MCPD ester. The joint interaction effects of activated clay dosage and deodorization temperature were significant for 3-MCPD ester formation.

Automated summary

In this study, the physical refining process of camellia oil was simulated on a laboratory scale to reduce 3-MCPDE content. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the refining process. The optimized approach achieved a 76.9% reduction in 3-MCPDE contents, with specific parameters including degumming moisture of 2.97%, degumming temperature of 50.5°C, activated clay dosage of 2.69%, deodorizing temperature of 230°C, and deodorizing time of 90 min.