Electrostatic field treatment as a novel and efficient method for refining crude canola oil

Traditional vegetable oil refining strategies are energy-intensive and can result in substantial oil loss. In metalworking and machine shops, electrostatic `oil cleaners" are used to remove particulate matter (e.g., wear particles, soot, vanish, and dust) from non-polar working fluids with low dielectric constants (e.g., lubricating oil and hydraulic oil). Vegetable oils are also non-polar fluids. Polar contaminants (e.g., phospholipids, free fatty acids, peroxides) can be present in unrefined vegetable oils. The effects of electrostatic field (E-field) applied using a commercial electrostatic `oil cleaner" on crude canola oils were studied. E-field treatments of crude canola oils reduced suspended particles and the contents of phospholipids (reduction of 74.9%), free fatty acids (reduction of 53.2%), and peroxides (reduction of 47.0%). These treatments did not significantly alter either carotenoid content or fatty acid composition. Furthermore, oil loss was negligible (0.37%) during E-field treatment. Therefore, E-field can provide an economical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional refining methods with minimal oil loss.