PROCESSING
Lecithin is a combination of naturally-occurring phospholipids, which are extracted
during the processing of soybean oil. The soybeans are tempered by keeping them at a
consistent temperature and moisture level for approximately seven to 10 days. This
process hydrates the soybeans and loosens the hull. The soybeans are then cleaned and
cracked into small pieces and the hulls are separated from the cracked beans. Next, the
soybean pieces are heated and pressed into flakes. Soybean oil is extracted from the
flakes through a distillation process and lecithin is separated from the oil by the addition
of water and centrifugation or steam precipitation1
.