How is sun flower oil made?

How is sunflower oil made?

1. Harvesting: The first step in the sunflower oil production process is harvesting. Sunflowers are typically harvested when the seeds are ripe and have reached their maximum oil content. This usually occurs between 100 and 120 days after planting.

2. Threshing: After harvesting, the sunflower heads are threshed to separate the seeds from the rest of the plant material. This is done by passing the sunflower heads through a machine that beats and shakes the seeds out.

3. Drying: The sunflower seeds are then dried to reduce their moisture content and make them easier to store and process. This can be done by spreading the seeds out on a tarp or using a grain dryer.

4. Cleaning: Once the seeds are dry, they are cleaned to remove any remaining plant debris, dust, and other impurities. This can be done by screening or winnowing the seeds.

5. Hulled and De-shelled: The next step is to hull the seeds, which involves removing the outer hull or shell of the seed. This can be done by passing the seeds through a dehuller, which cracks and removes the hulls.

6. Grinding: The hulled seeds are then ground into a fine meal, which helps to release the oil from the seed cells. This can be done using a variety of different types of grinders, such as hammer mills or roller mills.

7. Pressing: The ground seed meal is then pressed to extract the oil. This can be done using a variety of different types of presses, such as hydraulic presses or screw presses.

8. Refining: The crude sunflower oil is then refined to remove any impurities, such as phospholipids, waxes, and free fatty acids. This can be done by a variety of different methods, such as degumming, neutralization, and bleaching.

9. Deodorizing: The final step in the sunflower oil production process is deodorizing, which involves removing any unwanted odors from the oil. This can be done by heating the oil under vacuum and then condensing the vapors.

10. Bottling: The refined and deodorized sunflower oil is then bottled and packaged for sale.