Value of hydroalcoholic treatment of rapeseed for oil extraction and protein enrichment

This study investigated alternative solvents: ethanol and isopropanol, to replace hexane and enhance the quality and value of oil and meal. Rapeseed oil extraction was carried out using ethanol (92 wt.% or 96 wt.%), isopropanol (84 wt.% or 88 wt.%) or hexane (as reference). Results show that hydroalcoholic extraction increased meal protein content by 13% compared to hexane extraction, but without significant influence of alcohol and water content. However, increasing water content improved glucosinolate extractability. Isopropanol 84 wt.% eliminated most glucosinolates from the seeds, decreasing glucosinolate concentration by 49–73% compared to meals extracted by the other alcohols.