Intensification of oil yield from Kokum seeds: An energy-efficient extraction using ultrasonication technique

This novel study reports the intensification of oil yield from kokum seeds through an energy-efficient oil extraction using the ultrasonication method. To maximize the kokum oil recovery, the ultrasonication process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design. The effects of sonication time (St; 10-30 min), extraction temperature (E-T; 35-45 C), ultrasonic power (Up; 80-120 W), and solvent-kokum seed powder (sksp) ratio (30-50 mL/g) on the kokum oil yield were examined. The optimal extraction conditions were S-t=20 min; E-T= 40 C; U-p=100 W; and sksp ratio=40 mL/g yielding 62.43 % of kokum oil. The Soxhlet extraction method yields 46 % kokum oil at an extraction temperature of 60 C after 24 h as reported in the literature. In contrast, the ultrasonic extraction produced a 16.43 % higher kokum oil yield (i.e., 62.43 %) than Soxhlet extraction even at a reduced St=20 min and ET= 40 C. Therefore, in recovering the kokum seed oil, the ultrasonic extraction was more efficient than the Soxhlet extraction method and also this research lays the groundwork and emphasizes the necessity of investigating kokum oil's possible use as a feedstock for the manufacturing of food-grade lubricants.