Optimization of Ultrasound‐Assisted Alkali Neutralization in the Refining of Safflower Oil to Minimize the Loss of Bioactive Compounds

In this study, ultrasound‐assisted (UA) neutralization parameters are optimized using the response surface methodology to develop a novel alkali neutralization method based on the minimal refining concept. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), magnesium oxide (MgO), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) are used in both the traditional (TR) and UA neutralizations. Optimum probe depth, duration, and intensity levels are calculated as 3.7 cm, 25 s, and 54.3%, respectively, for UA neutralization with NaOH, which is more successful at free fatty acid (FFA) reduction and total phenolic content (TPC) retention than MgO and Ca(OH) 2 . Validation results of optimum conditions show that lowest average FFA content (0.29%) and highest average TPC (211.2 mg kg −1 ) are determined for the UA‐neutralized safflower oil samples. The comparison of all the neutralization experiments reveal that the UA neutralization under optimum conditions using NaOH reduced 82.8% of the FFA content, whereas the TR alkali neutralization reduced the FFA content at a maximum of only 47.8%. Practical Applications : From the results, it can be inferred that the UA neutralization exhibits good performance in FFA content reduction and bioactive compound retention while offering a good solution within the concept of minimal refining.