Fractionation of Citrus Oils Using a Membrane‐Based Extraction Process

摘要

AbstractA membrane‐based extraction process is described for the fractionation of citrus oils to produce an oil stream enriched in oxygenated components. The process relies on the high selectivity of cyclodextrins (CDs) to preferentially bind the desirable oxygenates. In the process, low‐temperature citrus oil flows on one side of a nonporous membrane, and an aqueous CD solution flows on the other side of the membrane. Oxygenates diffuse through the water‐swollen hydrophilic membrane and preferentially partition into the aqueous CD solution. The aqueous CD solution is then heated and circulated past a second membrane, where the CD/oxygenate complex dissociates and the liberated oxygenates diffuse into a citrus oil solution. Disassociated CD is recycled to the first membrane. Data are presented on the effect of temperature and CD type on the partitioning of oxygenates from orange oil into aqueous CD solutions. Operation of a pilot‐scale test loop that capitalizes on the high selectivity of CDs and the temperature dependence of the CD binding is described for the production of oxygenate‐enriched o