Oil extraction from blends of sunflower and black cumin seeds by cold press and evaluation of its physicochemical properties

Oil seeds are usually pressed individually to extract the oil. In this study, blends of black cumin seed (BS) with sunflower seed (SS) were used to extract oil by cold pressing and the changes in physicochemical properties of the extracted oil were evaluated. Blending altered the fatty acid profile of the blends; with linoleic and oleic acids being the main fatty acids. As BS was increased in the blends, a significant increase (p < .05) in total pigments and phenolic contents in the extracted oils was observed. Also, the oil extracted from blends had higher acid and peroxide values compared with SS oil. Blending caused an increase in oxidative stability which increased from 6.78 to 9.69 hr. Based on the results obtained, it was advisable to use blending of oil seeds prior to cold press as a novel method to improve the quality and oxidative stability of oils. Practical applications Oil extraction from oilseeds individually is a common method in the oil industry. In this paper, oil extraction from blend of oilseeds was performed as a new approach. It showed that extracted oil from the blend of oilseeds has higher oxidative stability and bioactive components and can be a new area of research and work in oil industry.