Aqueous extraction of pumpkin seed oil by salt effect and its physicochemical properties

The oil was extracted from pumpkin seed by the aqueous method with sodium carbonate solvent as the extractant which aimed to overcome severe emulsification and increases the oil yield. The concentration of sodium carbonate solution, stirring temperature, liquid-solid ratio and extraction time on oil yield of pumpkin seed were investigated and the optimal parameters were carried out by Box-Behnken experimental design.The results showed that the concentration of sodium carbonate solvent and liquid-solid ratio had significant effect on the oil yield. The optimal conditions were sodium carbonate concentration 1.8mol/L, liquid-solid ratio 6.8, extraction time 120.1min (120min in fact) , temperature 80℃, the oil yield of pumpkin seeds could reach 70.6%.The acid value and peroxide value of oil were lower than the corresponding value of the national quality standards.It demonstrated that technology for aqueous extraction of pumpkin seed oil by salt effect was workable.