Pulsed Electrical Discharge and Pulsed Electric Field Treatment during Sunflower Seed Processing

For the successful implementation of emerging electrical technologies in the oil pressing process, optimization of process parameters in combination with parameters from electrical process is crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the following pretreatments: pulsed electrical discharge (PED) and pulsed electric field (PEF) on rheological properties, morphological capillary-porous structure, and oil recovery of sunflower seed. FESEM analysis of the surface microstructure, pressing, and solvent extraction were used to obtain treatment efficiency after novel technologies. The results of this study show that PED and PEF treatments could be used as a pretreatment before sunflower seed processing to modify internal structure, increase the oil yield, or contribute to the mechanical destruction of oil globules and the release of free oil to the surface under gentle conditions.