OIL FROM WHEAT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1929, Page 5

OIL FROM WHEAT

VALUABLE FOR FARM ANIMALS.

EXTRACTION COMMENCES IN CITY. CHRISTCHURCH, August 28. On a scale which is believed to be larger than that attempted in any other part of the world, a beginning will be made to-day with the extraction of wheat oil at the Wheat Rer search. Institute’s laboratory , in Montreal Street. The .extraction work is being carried out iby Mr H. E. West, the institute's chemist.

The oil is being prepared for the Veterinary Division of the Department of Agriculture, to be used in connection with its anti-sterility work on farm animals.

The new plant, of about nine feet in height, consists of a solvent container, an extraction container to hold 2001 b of wheat germ, and a condenser. The solvent chamber holds about twenty gallons of fat solvent, Once the charge is iii the operation is automatic. A new charge of 2901 b of wheat germ is put in each day. and after a week’s work them is sufficient concentrate of fat in the solvent. The solvent with the fat in it is then taken out and purified under a vacuum. The residual matter contains about 2 per cent of oil and is extremely- high in ash, mineral matter and protein. The residue, after the wheat oil has be Q n taken off mnkes an excellent animal food, as has been proved by experiments. . ■ ' , :

• The wheat germ is a by-product of the flour mills, the germ being taken out .of the wheat before the latter is made into flour. .About a hundred.; gallons of oil will be extracted at the laboratory. For this there will be re-, quired some five tons of wheat genu, which about 2-30 tons of wheat' will supply. "Were the germ not used for oil extraction it would be contained, in the ordinary offal of wheat., >