Mechanothermal Extraction of Oil from Agro Seeds: A Study on Production and Utilization of Agro Base Oils

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial raw materials has intensified research into the extraction and utilization of agro-based oils from renewable biomass resources. This study investigates the mechanothermal extraction of oil from agro seeds, with emphasis on mango seed kernels (Mangifera indica) as a viable source of bio-oil for industrial and domestic applications. Mechanothermal extraction combines mechanical pressing and thermal treatment to improve oil recovery efficiency while maintaining desirable physicochemical properties of the extracted oil. Mango seeds, often regarded as agricultural waste, contain significant quantities of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that can be harnessed for value-added applications. The study evaluates the influence of thermal conditioning and mechanical extraction parameters on oil yield and quality. Extracted oils were characterized using standard analytical methods to determine moisture content, density, viscosity, acid value, peroxide value, and saponification value. The results indicate that mechanothermal extraction significantly enhances oil recovery efficiency and produces oils with promising physicochemical properties suitable for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, soap-making, biodiesel, and lubricant applications. The study further highlights the economic and environmental benefits associated with agro-based oil production, including waste minimization, renewable energy development, and reduction of dependence on petroleum-derived products. The findings demonstrate that mechanothermal extraction offers an efficient and sustainable technique for converting agro-waste materials into valuable industrial feedstocks, thereby promoting circular economy practices and sustainable engineering development in agro-processing industries.