Ultrasonic Extraction of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ultrasonically-assisted extraction and malaxation make the production of extra virgin olive oil more efficient. The ultrasonic process intensification results in higher EVOO yield, higher nutritional quality and shorter malaxation. Simultaneously, sonication increases the antioxidant and polyphenol content in extra virgin olive oil.
Ultrasonically-Assisted Malaxation and Extraction of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Malaxation and extraction, basic steps of the mechanical olive oil extraction process, can be significantly improved by sonication. Malaxation and extraction efficiency depends on the rheological characteristics of olive paste as well as the process parameters of malaxation, such as time and temperature. These factors influence the yield and quality of virgin olive oil heavily.
When powerful ultrasound waves are applied to the olive paste, cavitation occurs. Cavitation is the formation, growth and implosion of gas bubbles during alternating pressure cycles. Ultrasonic cavitation breaks cell structures so that soluble compounds are released from the olive plant tissue and mass transfer is improved. Thus, the extraction rate and yield is significantly improved by ultrasonication. Oils from sonicated olive pastes show lower bitterness and higher content of tocopherols, chlorophylls and carotenoids, too.
Sonication is a mild, non-thermal food processing technology that allows to release the oil and active compounds (e.g. antioxidants, phenolics, vitamins) from the olive paste. The continuous inline process, where the olive paste passes the ultrasound cavitation zone, allows for a very uniform processing. Sonication is very beneficial to the process temperature, too: The ultrasonic treatment gives an instantaneous heating and reduces the pre-heating time of the olive paste drastically, afterwards the process temperature can be easily maintained at an optimal process temperature (e.g. 28-30ºC).
Benefits of Ultrasonic Olive Oil Extraction:
- higher yield
- more aromatic flavor and aroma
- lower bitterness
- higher antioxidant content
- longer shelf life
- intense green color
Ultrasonically extracted extra virgin olive oil contains more polyphenols
Advantages of Ultrasonic Extraction of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The main benefits of ultrasound-intensified extra virgin olive oil extraction are:
- Higher yield: Ultrasonic extraction can increase the yield of extra virgin olive oil extraction by improving the efficiency of oil release from the avocado flesh.
- Improved quality: Ultrasonic extraction can produce extra virgin olive oil with a higher quality due to reduced exposure to high temperatures and lower levels of oxidation. This is because ultrasonic extraction generates less heat than traditional extraction methods, which can damage the oil and affect its quality.
- Faster extraction: Ultrasonic extraction can accelerate the extraction process by reducing the time required for the oil to be released from the olive paste.
Extra virgin olive oil is typically produced through mechanical extraction. The additional process step of ultrasound-assisted extraction improves the efficiency, yield, and quality of the extra virgin olive oil extraction process.
Scheme of olive oil extraction line: A. cleaning section; B. crusher; C. cavity pump; D. US machine; E. 6-malaxer section; F. horizontal centrifuge; G. vertical centrifuges.
(author and copyrigth: M. Servili et al. 2019; no copyright violation is intended.)
- Ultrasound system was applied to a virgin olive oil industrial plant of 2 tons/h.
- High increase of oil yield was obtained from olives at an early maturity index.
- Ultrasound positively influences the phenolic content of virgin olive oil.
- Significant physical changes, increased extraction yield (22.7%), enhanced phenol content (10.1%) were observed in ultrasonically treated olive oil compared to control oil extracted with a traditional process at an early maturity index.
Ultrasonic extractor UIP4000hdT installed in an olive mill for improved production of extra virgin olive oil
Industrial Ultrasonic Extraction Systems
Hielscher ultrasonics supplies ultrasonic extractors and ultrasonic food processing systems adapted to your process requirements. We spec our sonication systems to specifications of the customer such as capacity / throughput, olives (raw material), oil sort and quality, space, and retrofitting into existing production streams. By pumping the olive paste through an ultrasonic reactor chamber, the ultrasonic waves are applied very uniformly through the olive paste so that a very homogeneous product quality is achieved.
One of the major advantages of Hielscher ultrasonic systems is the full control over all process parameters. Sonication intensity, temperature and pressure can be completely controlled so that the sonication process can be perfectly optimized in regards to yield and quality standards.
The industrial grade of our ultrasonic systems allows for 24/7 operation and hazzle-free processing.
Sonication improves the extraction and malaxation of virgin olive oil.
Advantages of Hielscher Ultrasonic Olive Oil Extractors:
- full process control
- adaptable to customer requirements
- safe operation
- easy assembly & cleaning
- mustahkamlik & industrial grade (24/7)
- low, almost neglectable maintenance costs
- small space requirements
- easy retrofitting
Nutritionally Enriched Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Applying ultrasound waves during the maceration / malaxation step enables to improve the nutritional value of olive oil by enriching it in phenolic compounds and vitamins from olive leaves. By extracting phenolic compounds such as α-tocopherol and oleuropein from olive leaves and adding them to the olive oil, the nutritional quality of the olive oil can be enhanced.
Flavour Infused Olive Oil
Herbs and spices such as basil, sage, rosemary, garlic, lemon peel, peppers, ginger, rosemary sprigs, etc. can be used to infuse olive oil. The intense extraction effects of sonication help to release the flavor of the herbal / spice substrate much more complete and faster. Click here to read more about ultrasonic extraction!
Our ultrasonic systems are highly versatile and can be used in several process stages of your process. If you want to process your olive oil further, you can use your ultrasonic system to create fine size emulsions, e.g. to manufacture olive oil vinagrettes, dressings or sauces.
More About Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil consists mainly of triacylglycerols and has small quantities of free fatty acids (FFAs), glycerol, phosphatides, pigments, flavour compounds, sterols, as well as microscopic particles of the olive fruit. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that is with 55 to 83% the most dominant fatty acids of olive oil. If olive oil is made from low quality olive fruits or is not extracted carefully, the triacylglycerols are decomposed due to hydrolysis / lipolysis. By the hydrolytic / lipolytic reaction, the nutritionally high-grade triacylglycerols turn into free fatty acids. The free fatty acidity is the most important quality measurement of olive oil.
The high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants in high-quality (extra) virgin olive oil can lower the risk of heart diseases and cancer. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory effects can positively impact illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and asthma.
Nutritional value of olive oil (per 100g / 3.5 oz / 103mL)
- Energy 3,701 kJ (885 kcal)
- Carbohydrates 0 g
- Fat 100 g
- saturated 14 g
- monounsaturated 73 g
- polyunsaturated 11 g
- omega-3 fat 0.8 g
- omega-6 fat 9.8 g
- protein 0 g
- vitamin E 14 mg
- vitamin K 62 μg
Besides its nutritional value, olive oil is a highly valued ingredient for skin care and cosmetical products. Due to its rich emollients, olive oil is a popular moisturizing additive in skin lotions and creams, exfoliating body scrubs and hair masks. Ultrasonic homogenizers are frequently used in the formulation and compounding process of skin care and cosmetic products. Ultrasonic shear forces create fine-size emulsions and dispersions. Ultrasonic encapsulation forms liposomes as carrier for active ingredients. Click here to learn more about the use of Hielscher ultrasonic mixers in the skin care and cosmetic industry!
2x Ultrasonicator UIP4000hdT for the malaxation of extra virgin olive oil. Ultrasound gives higher oil yields and higher polyphenol yields.
Adabiyot/Adabiyotlar
- FactSheet Ultrasonic Extraction of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Antonia Tamborrino, Agnese Taticchi, Roberto Romaniello, Claudio Perone, Sonia Esposto, Alessandro Leone, Maurizio Servili (2021): Assessment of the olive oil extraction plant layout implementing a high-power ultrasound machine. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Volume 73, 2021.
- Agnese Taticchi, Roberto Selvaggini, Sonia Esposto, Beatrice Sordini, Gianluca Veneziani, Maurizio Servili (2019): Physicochemical characterization of virgin olive oil obtained using an T ultrasound-assisted extraction at an industrial scale: Influence of olive maturity index and malaxation time. Food Chemistry Volume 289, 15 August 2019, Pages 7-15.
- Servili M; Veneziani G.; Taticchi A.; Romaniello R.; Tamborrino A.; Leone A.(2019): Low-frequency, high-power ultrasound treatment at different pressures for olive paste: Effects on olive oil yield and quality. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 59, 2019.
- Manganiello R., Pagano M., Nucciarelli D., Ciccoritti R., Tomasone R., Di Serio M.G., Giansante L., Del Re P., Servili M., Veneziani G. (2021): Effects of Ultrasound Technology on the Qualitative Properties of Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Foods. 2021 Nov 22;10(11):2884.
- Achat, S.; Rakotomanomana, N.; Tomao, V.; Madani, K.; Chibane, M.; Chemat, F.; Dangles, O. (2013): Enrichment of Olive Oil in Oleuropein by Ultrasound-Assisted Maceration and Antioxidant Activity. Abstract in Nutr & Metabol 2013.
- Bejaoui, M.A.; Beltran, G.; Aguilera, M.P.; Jimenez, A.; (2016): Continuous conditioning of olive paste by high power ultrasounds: Response surface methodology to predict temperature and its effect on oil yield and virgin olive oil (VOO) characteristics. LWT – Food Science and Technology 69, 2016. 175-184.
- Vossen, Paul (1998): Variety and Maturity the Two Largest Influences on Olive Oil Quality. Project Report. University of California, Davis, 1998.
Hielscher Ultrasonics kompaniyasi yuqori samarali ultratovushli homogenizatorlarni ishlab chiqaradi laboratoriya uchun sanoat hajmi.