REFINE: Optimization of refining process of vegetable oils and fats in order to reduce process contaminants

In a Public-Private Collaboration (PPS in Dutch) with mainly the Dutch government and an oil refining company in Zaandam (SRC B.V.), we are investigating the individual vegetable oil refining stages in order to reduce the formation of the process contaminants 2-MCPD-, 3-MCPD, and glycidyl esters, mainly in palm oil. Since these contaminants are potential carcinogens, it is important that their levels in food are reduced and carefully monitored. The project is divided into the following underlying objectives: Development of mitigation strategies for reducing 3-MCPD, 2-MCPD and glycidol process contaminants Pilot plant scale testing of the selected mitigation strategies Development of analytical methods for the detection of reaction intermediates