Gordura

Artigo

A Química dos Óleos e Gorduras e seus Processos de Extração e
Refino
Ramalho, H. F.; Suarez, P. A. Z.*
Rev. Virtual Quim., 2013, 5 (1), 2-15. Data de publicação na Web: 9 de novembro de 2012

http://www.uff.br/rvq

The Chemistry of Oils and Fats and their Extraction and Refining Processes
Abstract: Fats and oils, both in their raw form or chemically modified, have been used by humans for thousands years for different purposes, such as illumination, paints, soaps, etc. Mainly because of economic reasons, during the XXth century fatty materials were replaced by petroleum derived chemicals in several fields. Nonetheless, in the last decade, oil chemistry has emerged as an elegant alternative to fossil raw materials to produce a wide number of products, such as polymers, fuels, inks and lubricants. This paper discusses fats and oils sources, as well as their main chemical components and the effect of these chemicals in their physico-chemical and organoleptic properties. The main methods to obtain fats and oils from animal and vegetal sources are also discussed. It is described the rudimentary method used since immemorial times and that is still used in remote areas as well as the modern technologies involving press and solvent extraction and purification of fats and oils.
Keywords: Lipids, Fatty Acids; Oils & Fats; Mechanical Press; Solvent Extraction; Refining.

Resumo
Os óleos e gorduras, puros ou modificados por reações químicas, são usados pela humanidade há milênios como insumos em diversas áreas, tais como iluminação, tintas, sabões, etc. Durante o
Século XX, principalmente por razões econômicas, os materiais graxos foram preteridos por derivados de petróleo. No entanto, recentemente a oleoquímica vem se mostrando uma excelente alternativa para substituir os insumos fósseis em vários setores, como polímeros, combustíveis, tintas de impressão, e lubrificantes, entre outros. Este artigo discute as fontes de obtenção de óleos e