Separation of mature okra seed into component fractions

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for separating mature okra seed into its essential basic components of oil, germ, kernel material and hull. The separation is obtained by cracking the seed in, or immersing previously cracked seed in a liquid medium having a specific gravity of 1.3 plus or minus 0.2 at 60.degree. F. The liquid medium may be an aqueous solution adjusted with sodium chloride, sugar, or other water soluble organic material. However, in order to extract the oil, a solvent such as 1,1,1,-trichloroethane or a blend of trichlorotrifluoroethane and hexane is suitable. The liquid medium will separate the cracked components because of the differences in density of the various components. The hulls will sink in the liquid, and the germ and kernel floats or remains suspended in the liquid. The germ and kernel is then decanted from the hulls, the oil and liquid solvent is separated from the solids by a filter and the oil is extracted from the liquid solvent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.