Kinetics and thermodynamics of gossypol extraction from defatted cottonseed meal by ethanol

Gossypol is polyphenolic aldehyde, a toxic substance naturally present in cotton plant to protect it from insects, pests and diseases. Maximum gossypol is concentrated in the seed. After extraction of oil from the cottonseed, the defatted cottonseed meal which contains both the gossypol and proteinous matter is left behind. A number of attempts have been made using different solvents to extract gossypol from the seeds. However, all these efforts have remained in the realm of academic activity only as none of them could be commercialized. If a pilot plant or commercial scale plant is to be developed then the data on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the extraction process is required. In this study ethanol has been used as the solvent at temperature below 323K for removal of gossypol from the defatted seed. This study finds the effects of parameters viz. temperature, solvent to solid ratio (SR) and extraction time on the gossypol extraction efficiency. The data obtained are used to establish the kinetics and thermodynamics of the extraction process.