2025
Pioneering green technology: initiating aqueous-enzymatic soybean oil extraction in North Dakota
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Minwei Xu, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
NDSC_2025_New Uses 10
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Traditional oil extraction methods such as solvent extraction and mechanical pressing have drawbacks, notably in resource wastage and denaturing proteins that are by-products of the extraction process. Our project investigates aqueous extraction as an alternative method that could circumvent these issues. This method is gentler and helps preserve the quality of the oil and the proteins, which have been applied in fruit oil extraction. The major challenge with this method when applied to soybeans is the lower yield of oil. This is due to the oil being present in soybeans is mainly in conjugated forms, intermixed with other substances. To tackle this, our lab is working on using special enzymes...
Information And Results
Project Summary

Traditional oil extraction methods such as solvent extraction and mechanical pressing have drawbacks, notably in resource wastage and denaturing proteins that are by-products of the extraction process. Our project investigates aqueous extraction as an alternative method that could circumvent these issues. This method is gentler and helps preserve the quality of the oil and the proteins, which have been applied in fruit oil extraction. The major challenge with this method when applied to soybeans is the lower yield of oil. This is due to the oil being present in soybeans is mainly in conjugated forms, intermixed with other substances. To tackle this, our lab is working on using special enzymes to break down these complex forms and release more oil. These enzymes include protease, carbohydrase, and phospholipase. We are also employing a technique called ball milling, which helps in making these enzymes even more effective. Our goal is to develop an aqueous-enzymatic method for soybean oil extraction, offering alternative choices for industrial oil extraction. The current project focuses on finding the best combination of enzymes and the right conditions to maximize the oil yield. This approach holds the potential to render soybean oil extraction more sustainable and reduce the generation of low-profit by-products.

Project Objectives

• Evaluating the role of ball milling-assisted carbohydrase hydrolysis on releasing oils
• Evaluating the role of ball milling-assisted protease hydrolysis on releasing oils
• Evaluating the role of ball milling-assisted phospholipase hydrolysis on releasing oils
• Maximizing oil release in soybeans by optimizing enzyme combinations.

Project Deliverables

• The effectiveness of ball milling in conjunction with enzymes for releasing oils from soybeans.
• The best formula of carbohydrase, protease, and phospholipase for releasing conjugated soybean oil
• The optimized extraction conditions for aqueous-enzyme oil extraction.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

This innovative aqueous-enzymatic extraction method, developed specifically for North Dakota's soybean production, promises to significantly boost oil yields while preserving valuable proteins, thereby enhancing farmers' profitability. By reducing resource wastage and improving efficiency, it aligns with sustainable agricultural practices, a crucial aspect in today's environmentally conscious market. This advanced approach not only offers North Dakota's soybean farmers an opportunity to maximize returns from soybean meal but also positions them at the forefront of agricultural innovation, paving the way for sustainable growth and diversification in a competitive global market.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.