Abstract
<jats:p>The study is to develop an improved hydrothermal treatment technology for oil-bearing materials and primary press cake to yield functional vegetable oils from non-traditional oilseeds (melon and watermelon seeds). Analytical evaluation of the crushed kernels, mash, oils, and press cakes was carried out according to the standardized methods, and the requirements of GOST, in parallel experiments with the statistical validation of the results. Optimal hydrothermal treatment prior to primary pressing was 80°C for 40–50 minutes. Treatment at 80 degrees for 50 minutes led to a significant increase in oil yield, to 26.2% for melon and 17.6% for watermelon mash, a 14.5% increase compared to the untreated samples. Additional conditioning of the primary press cake (moisture adjustment till 12%, 1200C steam treatment at 0.5 MPA for 30 minutes) before expelling enhanced oil recovery. The developed double-pressing technology guarantees oil extraction efficiency at maximum levels</jats:p>