Combined effects of shell content, container volume and several core parameters on the recovery of oil from wild almond using aqueous extraction process.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the woody hard shell in the aqueous extraction of wild almond oil considering two unattended parameters (presence of shell and container volume) along with the amount of water, temperature, agitation rate, and time. Shell content did not negatively impact the extraction yield. But water content, container volume and temperature contributed to 34.5, 27.5 and 34.0 % of the model considered for the final experimental design in this study. Particle size, shaking rate and process time also impacted the extraction yield significantly. Using the whole seed (the kernel combined with original shell) under optimum extraction conditions resulted in 33.2 ± 2.5 % free and 0.0 % emulsified oil. Container volume was a parameter considered for the first time in the current study and showed exclusive impact in the aqueous extraction of oil from wild almond, which is a good representative for numerous oilseeds.