Different Methods of Extracting Argan Oil
An overview about different methods used in the extraction of Argan oil.
Among the several useful essential oils, Argan oil has its special importance due to its unique medicinal and healing qualities. As one of the important oils from the perspective of human well-being, this oil is arguably considered as one of the most important essential oils present. Plentiful levels of vitamin E and antioxidants in this yellow-colored nutty oil make it an excellent cosmetic product that retains its qualities for a long time.
This natural oil is extracted from the fruit of the Argan tree that is largely cultivated in the southwestern parts of Morocco. The extreme climatic conditions and the local cultural heritage have made the entire world heavily dependent on Morocco for production and supply of this useful essential oil.
The process of obtaining the Argan oil is quite long and effort centric. It may take anything between few hours to several days to extract just a liter of oil depending upon the method of extraction. Not only the long time that is required for extracting the oil, the quantity of Argan fruit used in obtaining just one liter of the oil makes it a precious oil too. In all the methods of extracting this oil, seeds of the Argan fruit are used. Shells of the ripened Argan fruits are cracked in order to obtain the kernels. The kernels obtained from the fruits are then subjected to various methods of extracting this oil.
The most commonly used methods of extracting Argan oil are:
Traditional Way
Moroccan women have been primarily involved in the extraction of Argan oil since centuries. They either obtain the kernels by cracking the shells with sharp stones or from the dung of goats that eat Argan fruits. The seeds are not digested and are available in plenty in the goat dung. These seeds are then crushed and ground while mixing some water in order to form a brown colored paste similar to the peanut butter in appearance. They use the handmade mills made of stones and rocks in order to form the paste. This paste is then used for the extraction of oil by pressing it over a period of time.
The quality of oil produced by this method is the best because only the best quality seeds are handpicked for extraction. Also, there is no risk of oxidation of seeds because they are immediately used for extracting the oil after they are picked.
Mechanical Extraction
Considering the time and efforts incurred in extracting the Argan oil using the traditional method, the mechanical method of extraction was devised in late 90’s. This method improved the efficiency of extraction and particularly benefited entrepreneurs and multinational companies interested in production and export of this oil.
This method involves usage of finely divided or powdered form of kernels. There is no need for mixing it with water to form a brown colored paste unlike in the traditional method. Kernels of the Argan fruits are pressed using machines without using water at all. Unlike the time-consuming manual procedure of extraction using the traditional method, this method only requires two hours for extracting one liter of oil. Also, the oil produced by this method has a reasonably long shelf life of 12 to 18 months.
Chemical Extraction
Unlike the other two popular methods, this method does not require pressing of kernels for extraction of oil. Kernels are ground to form a powder and are treated with chemical solvents. These chemical solvents absorb the oil content present in the kernel powder.
The amount of oil produced in this method is the highest among all methods of extracting this oil. However, chemically extracted oil is not suitable for various purposes such as cosmetics, cooking, or direct medicine. It finds its usage in the industrial or laboratory purposes where the quality of the Argan oil does not have a significant impact. The shelf life of the oil thus produced is also less than that extracted by other two methods.
This natural oil is extracted from the fruit of the Argan tree that is largely cultivated in the southwestern parts of Morocco. The extreme climatic conditions and the local cultural heritage have made the entire world heavily dependent on Morocco for production and supply of this useful essential oil.
The process of obtaining the Argan oil is quite long and effort centric. It may take anything between few hours to several days to extract just a liter of oil depending upon the method of extraction. Not only the long time that is required for extracting the oil, the quantity of Argan fruit used in obtaining just one liter of the oil makes it a precious oil too. In all the methods of extracting this oil, seeds of the Argan fruit are used. Shells of the ripened Argan fruits are cracked in order to obtain the kernels. The kernels obtained from the fruits are then subjected to various methods of extracting this oil.
The most commonly used methods of extracting Argan oil are:
Traditional Way
Moroccan women have been primarily involved in the extraction of Argan oil since centuries. They either obtain the kernels by cracking the shells with sharp stones or from the dung of goats that eat Argan fruits. The seeds are not digested and are available in plenty in the goat dung. These seeds are then crushed and ground while mixing some water in order to form a brown colored paste similar to the peanut butter in appearance. They use the handmade mills made of stones and rocks in order to form the paste. This paste is then used for the extraction of oil by pressing it over a period of time.
The quality of oil produced by this method is the best because only the best quality seeds are handpicked for extraction. Also, there is no risk of oxidation of seeds because they are immediately used for extracting the oil after they are picked.
Mechanical Extraction
Considering the time and efforts incurred in extracting the Argan oil using the traditional method, the mechanical method of extraction was devised in late 90’s. This method improved the efficiency of extraction and particularly benefited entrepreneurs and multinational companies interested in production and export of this oil.
This method involves usage of finely divided or powdered form of kernels. There is no need for mixing it with water to form a brown colored paste unlike in the traditional method. Kernels of the Argan fruits are pressed using machines without using water at all. Unlike the time-consuming manual procedure of extraction using the traditional method, this method only requires two hours for extracting one liter of oil. Also, the oil produced by this method has a reasonably long shelf life of 12 to 18 months.
Chemical Extraction
Unlike the other two popular methods, this method does not require pressing of kernels for extraction of oil. Kernels are ground to form a powder and are treated with chemical solvents. These chemical solvents absorb the oil content present in the kernel powder.
The amount of oil produced in this method is the highest among all methods of extracting this oil. However, chemically extracted oil is not suitable for various purposes such as cosmetics, cooking, or direct medicine. It finds its usage in the industrial or laboratory purposes where the quality of the Argan oil does not have a significant impact. The shelf life of the oil thus produced is also less than that extracted by other two methods.
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