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Abstract
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Linum usitatissimum seed is considered to be an important oil seed crop that is especially rich in essential fatty acids. The seed contains essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies require
to maintain optimal health [1]. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for growth and development, and have
been associated with health and the prevention and treatment of arthritis, inflammatory, cancer, and heart
and autoimmune diseases [2]. In this research, we aimed to study the effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment
prior to oil extraction by mechanical expellers on the oil yield obtained from Linum usitatissimum seeds.
Optimization of three parameters including ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic duration, and ultrasonic
power to obtain oil with high yield was performed. According to the results, the maximum yield of oil was
obtained with the ultrasonic temperature of 40°C, duration of 15 min, and power of 100 W. The results
showed that the ultrasonic pre-treatment prior to oil extraction produced the highest yield compared with
conventional method (mechanical expellers). The higher extraction of oil by ultrasonic pre-treatment might be possible due to increase in mass transfer by rupturing the cell wall and formation of micro cavities thus
enhances the product yield. The obtained oils were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and Gas
chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Linum usitatissimum oil was found to contain high
amounts of linolenic followed by oleic, and linoleic, while the dominant saturated acids were palmitic and
stearic. So, ultrasonic pre-treatment prior to oil extraction is obviously an effective method to improve the
oil yield, then to reduce the extraction time and energy consumption, comparing to conventional method
(mechanical expellers).
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