Introduction: Demystifying the Production of High - Quality Soybean Oil

Soybean oil is a staple in kitchens worldwide, yet many procurement decision - makers in the global market have misconceptions about its production. Some may think that producing high - quality soybean oil is a straightforward process, while others question the efficiency and quality control of large - scale soybean oil factories. In reality, the production of top - notch soybean oil involves a series of intricate steps.

The Multi - Step Production Process of Soybean Oil

1. Cleaning

The first step in soybean oil production is cleaning. Raw soybeans often contain impurities such as dirt, stones, and broken beans. A well - equipped soybean oil factory can remove up to 99% of these impurities. This not only ensures the purity of the final product but also protects the subsequent production equipment from damage. For example, a large - scale soybean oil plant in the United States reported that after implementing a high - precision cleaning system, the breakdown rate of their pressing machines decreased by 30%.

2. Shelling

Next comes shelling. The soybean hulls are removed because they contain little oil and can affect the oil's flavor and quality. Removing the hulls can increase the oil yield by about 2 - 3%. In a Brazilian soybean oil factory, after upgrading their shelling technology, they were able to extract an additional 500 liters of oil per ton of soybeans, significantly improving their production efficiency.

3. Pressing

Pressing is a crucial step. Through mechanical pressing, the oil is initially extracted from the soybeans. Modern pressing machines can extract up to 18 - 20% of the oil from the soybeans in the first pressing. For instance, a European soybean oil company uses advanced screw presses that can apply high pressure evenly, ensuring a high initial oil extraction rate.

4. Steaming

After pressing, the soybean cake undergoes steaming. Steaming at the right temperature and time can break down the remaining oil - containing cells in the cake. A study shows that proper steaming can increase the subsequent oil extraction rate by 5 - 7%. In an Asian soybean oil plant, they found that by optimizing the steaming process, they could improve the overall oil yield from 18% to 23%.

5. Re - pressing

The steamed soybean cake is then re - pressed. This second pressing can extract an additional 3 - 5% of oil. In total, after the two - step pressing process, a high - efficiency soybean oil factory can achieve an oil extraction rate of around 22 - 25% from soybeans.

6. Filtration

The extracted crude oil contains various impurities, such as solid particles and gums. Filtration can remove these impurities, improving the clarity and stability of the oil. A good filtration system can reduce the impurity content in the oil to less than 0.1%.

7. Refining

Finally, the oil goes through a refining process. Refining includes degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization. This process can remove unpleasant odors, colors, and free fatty acids, resulting in a high - quality, pure soybean oil with a long shelf - life. After refining, the acid value of the soybean oil can be reduced to less than 0.1 mg KOH/g, meeting international food - grade standards.

Conclusion: The Significance of the Multi - Step Production Process

The multi - step production process of soybean oil is not only essential for ensuring high - quality products but also for improving production efficiency and yield. A well - run soybean oil factory can achieve a high oil extraction rate and produce oil that meets or exceeds international standards. Such an efficient and versatile soybean oil factory can bring substantial economic benefits and market competitiveness to enterprises.

Are you ready to partner with a reliable soybean oil factory that can offer high - quality soybean oil? Contact us now to discuss your procurement needs and take your business to the next level!