
Distillation is a widely used method for separating mixtures based on differences in the conditions required to change the phase of components of the mixture. To separate a mixture of liquids, the liquid can be heated to force components, which have different boiling points, into the gas phase. The gas is then condensed back into liquid form and collected. Repeating the process on the collected liquid to improve the purity of the product is called double distillation. Although the term is most commonly applied to liquids, the reverse process can be used to separate gases by liquefying components using changes in temperature and/or pressure.
Distillation is used for many commercial processes, such as production of gasoline, distilled water, xylene, alcohol, paraffin, kerosene, and many other liquids food matrices.
Vacuum distillation is a method of distillation whereby the pressure above the liquid mixture to be distilled is reduced to less than its vapor pressure (usually less than atmospheric pressure) causing evaporation of the most volatile liquid(s) (those with the lowest boiling points). This distillation method works on the principle that boiling occurs when the vapor pressure of a liquid exceeds the ambient pressure. Vacuum distillation is used with or without heating the solution. Reduction of the total pressure in the distillation column provides another means of distilling at lower temperatures. When the vapour pressure of the volatile substance reaches the system pressure, distillation occurs. With modern efficient vacuum-producing equipment, vacuum distillation is tending to supplant steam distillation. In some instances, the two methods are combined in vacuum steam distillation.
How to perform a vacuum Distillation
Molecular distillation is the only method (currently) that can remove metals, pubs and other toxins to below detectable levels for human consumption. Most processing keeps the product at up to 250 degrees Celsius for up to 6 hours under vacuum. Molecular distillation process that use takes only 45 seconds at 250 degrees Celsius under high vacuum. This shortening of the "sit" or "residence" time for the process greatly improves the quality because it guarantees that no Tran's fats are created. Other molecular distillation processes and steam distillation have the potential to create Trans fats because of the length of time the product sits at high temperature. A modified vacuum distillation apparatus to isolate volatiles from lipid food matrices was systematically evaluated using neutral synthetic oil spiked with 14 flavor compounds. Thin layer high vacuum distillation showed good recovery for most of the flavor constituents of the model mixture. The recovery was linearly correlated with the product of the octanol/water partition coefficient, log P and boiling point when the lactones were excluded. The same linear relationship was found for lactones, but the slope of the regression line was much steeper. Many flavors can be separated using molecular distillation without danger of oxidation decomposition to provide the highest quality products available.
A compact and versatile distillation unit was developed for the fast and careful isolation of volatiles from complex food matrices. In connection with a high vacuum pump the new technique, designated solvent assisted flavour evaporation, allows the isolation of volatiles from either solvent extracts, aqueous foods, such as milk or beer, aqueous food suspensions, such as fruit pulps, or even matrices with high oil content. Application of SAFE to model solutions of selected aroma compounds resulted in higher yields from both solvent extracts and fatty matrices compared to previously used techniques, such as high vacuum transfer. Direct distillation of aqueous fruit pulps in combination with a stable isotope dilution analysis enabled the fast quantification of compounds such as the very polar and unstable the direct distillation of aqueous foods, such as beer or orange juice, gave flavorful aqueous distillates free from non-volatile matrix compounds. Key words High vacuum transfer - Solvent assisted flavour evaporation - Stable isotope dilution analysis – Flavour.
In order to understand the flavour of (traditional) foods a multitude of scientific investigations were carried out and a number of appropriate analytical tools for flavour research were developed in the past few decades. This gives a brief overview of the wide range of this aroma research, takes stock of analytical methods, scientific objectives, obtainable results, and conclusions drawn for the present, and assesses the outlook for possibly attainable aims and novel analytical tools in the future of aroma research. Different isolation techniques for odorants, their aroma characterizations, and quantification methods are taken into consideration as are studies on interactions between food matrices and volatiles, the human perception of odour-active compounds, interactions between receptors and odorants, or the prospects for electronic noses. Author Keywords: Flavour; Aroma; Odorant; Analytical tool; Oral breath sampler; Nose sampler; Interaction; Receptor; Electronic nose; Soybean lecithin; Coffee.
A low-temperature high-vacuum distillation technique utilizing a molecular still is described. The flavor volatiles are distilled into liquid N2 traps, transferred to a stainless-steel helical trap of special design, and then blown into a gas chromatograph. Identification of the flavor volatiles is based on relative specific retention volume and collection of the fractions for analysis by techniques such as mass spectrometry. Results are given for application of the described techniques to study of the lipid-soluble flavor volatiles of Cheddar cheese.
A new composition of matter that can be substituted as a bulking agent for sugar or starch to reduce the caloric content of foods comprising the polymeric product of the reaction of a water-soluble polyol with a di- or tri-epoxide, in water containing a water-soluble inorganic base that serves as a catalyst, and the process for making it.
Briefly outlines the role of new distillation technology in the recovery and management of natural flavours. Often processing leads to the loss or deterioration in the flavour characteristics of foods and drinks, especially when compared with fresh starting materials. Aims to show that some of these effects can be mitigated by good process engineering; and uses the role of spinning cone distillation processes, on which the author currently is researching, to illustrate the argument. Summarizes the principal features of spinning cone technology, together with the advantages of the technology for flavour recovery: these include high selectivity and efficiency, mild operating conditions, low residence times and multistage operation, which, inter alia, allow low stripping rates, while producing flavour concentrates. Briefly mentions some current applications including flavour management in the production of fruit concentrates, the production of reduced alcohol drinks, and, in the context of clean technologies, the use of the technology for flavour recovery and odour removal.