Cottonseed delinting, hull separation, hot pressing, crude-oil refining handoff
Retail cottonseed brand: NBD refining + bottling, free gossypol <0.045%
Retail cottonseed oil specification (after NBD refining): free gossypol <0.045% (FAO/WHO), FFA <0.1%, peroxide <2 meq O₂/kg, color Lovibond Y <30 / R <3 (vs crude Y >60 / R 8-15), smoke point 216°C refined. Packaging: 1 L / 2 L / 5 L PET (mainstream cooking oil) or 250-1000 ml glass (premium retail). Bottling rate 600-3000 bottles/h. Cap torque 8-12 lb-in. Shelf life 12-18 months ambient, 18-24 months refrigerated. Multi-pack: 6× 1 L per carton.
Finished-oil spec
Refining + filling spec for retail cottonseed oil
- Degum: phosphoric acid 0.05-0.1% + water hydration → remove phosphatides 1.5-3% → wet gum (lecithin not commercially separated for cottonseed unlike soybean).
- Neutralize: caustic soda 0.5-1.5% → neutralize FFA 1-3% to <0.1% + soap removal by centrifuge → soapstock by-product.
- Bleach: activated clay 1-2% at 100-110°C × 20-30 min vacuum → remove pigments + free gossypol → color Lovibond Y <30, R <3.
- Deodorize: 240-260°C × 30-60 min steam-stripping under vacuum 2-5 mbar → remove odor compounds + final gossypol reduction → free gossypol <0.045%.
- Polish filter: 1-5 μm bag → final clarity → buffer tank → bottling line 600-3000 bottles/h, 1 L / 2 L / 5 L PET or 250-1000 ml glass, cap torque 8-12 lb-in.
- QC per batch: free gossypol HPLC, FFA, peroxide, color Lovibond, moisture, microbials, heavy metals.
Questions to confirm next
Why is refined cottonseed oil pale yellow but crude is dark red?
Crude cottonseed oil contains gossypol pigments (0.04% free + 0.5-1.5% bound) and chlorophyll, giving Lovibond Y >60, R 8-15. Bleaching with activated clay 1-2% at 100-110°C adsorbs most pigments, dropping color to Y <30, R <3. Deodorization at 240-260°C strips remaining color compounds. Final retail oil: pale yellow, neutral flavor, free gossypol <0.045% per FAO/WHO Codex.
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