Degumming Process Guide

Link to Degumming Instructions

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Quick Facts

• Process Name: Enzymatic Degumming
• Category: SOP / Pretreatment
• Primary Purpose:
  • Break down phosphatides (gums) into hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions
  • Improve clarity, yield, and downstream distillation efficiency
• Key Solvents / Reagents:
  • Distilled water
  • Heptane
  • Carbon Chemistry Degumming Enzyme (powder)
• Best Performed Before: Winterization (recommended)
• Ideal Enzyme Activity Temp: 40°C
  
• Do Not Exceed: 50°C
  
• Skill Level: Intermediate lab technician

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Safety & PPE

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available on request for all chemicals.
• Do not expose enzymes to alcohol or solvents during incubation — this will de-nature the enzyme.
• Maintain strict temperature control; enzyme is temperature-sensitive.
• Use appropriate PPE when handling hot oil, solvents, and enzymes:
  • Lab coat
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Closed-toe shoes
• Ensure all heating, mixing, and separation steps are done in a properly ventilated area.

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How Enzymatic Degumming Works

• Enzymes split phosphatides into two fractions:
  • Lipophilic by-products → remain with the oil; removed via winterization
  • Hydrophilic by-products → must be removed using a heptane/water wash
    
• Performing degumming before winterization improves overall results and reduces impurities downstream.

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Required Materials & Equipment

• Heptane
• Distilled water
• Hot plate or heating mantle
• Magnetic stirrer or homogenizer
• Thermometer
• pH meter or test strips
• High-accuracy scale
• Rotary evaporator (rotovap)
• Separation funnel or reactor vessel

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Step-by-Step Procedure

STEP 1 — Heat and Pre-Mix the Crude/Distillate

• Heat crude or distilled oil to 80–100°C.
• Add ~20% hot distilled water directly to the oil.
• Mix thoroughly (hand mix, mag stirrer, or homogenizer).
• Allow mixture to cool to 45°C before adding enzyme.

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STEP 2 — Prepare the Enzyme Solution

• In a separate vessel, weigh 1.5 g of enzyme powder per 1000 g of material.
• Add distilled water to hydrate—stir until the mixture becomes milky white and the powder fully dissolves.
• Add the hydrated enzyme solution into the material vessel.
• Mix thoroughly.

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STEP 3 — Incubate at Controlled Temperature

• Hold the mixture at 40°C for 30 minutes.
• Do not exceed 50°C — higher temperatures will damage enzyme activity.
• Do not expose enzyme to alcohol or solvents during incubation.
• Note: If skipping the heptane/water wash, you may dilute to 10:1 with ethanol and proceed directly to winterization — but the SOP strongly recommends the wash for best distillation results.

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STEP 4 — Dilute with Heptane

• Add 1–2 parts heptane to the incubated mixture.
• Transfer to a separation funnel or reactor.
• Add distilled water.

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STEP 5 — Perform the Water Wash

• Shake (sep funnel) or stir (reactor) vigorously to fully expose the solution to water.
• Allow the solution to rest for 5–10 minutes.
• Drain the water layer and the opaque gum-rich emulsion.

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STEP 6 — Optional: Brine Wash

• Repeat the wash using heavy brine or saline until no emulsion layer is visible.
• This step helps remove stubborn hydrophilic impurities.

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STEP 7 — Final Separation & Settling

• After the final drain, allow the heptane/material solution to sit for 1 hour.
• This ensures all water fully separates out before solvent recovery.

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STEP 8 — Recover Heptane & Proceed to Winterization

• Use a rotovap to remove heptane.
• Introduce your preferred ratio of ethanol.
• Proceed to standard winterization.

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Contact & Support

For assistance selecting equipment or optimizing solvent workflows:

📞 734-855-4890
📧 support@usalabequipment.com