Effect of phosphorus and carotenoids removal from macauba oil (Acrocomia aculeata) onto acid activated bleaching earth

The vegetable oil refining process is indispensable for the removal of undesired compounds, such as free fatty acids, metals, sterols and pigments. Bleaching is an essential step of it, being mainly responsible for the phosphorus and carotenoids removal. Seeking the most efficient process, adsorption acid earth concentration and temperature were measured under industrially applied conditions.