After the collection and prior to processing, seeds were stored in
plastic bags in ambient temperature. In the case of castor seeds,
prior to grounding the carpel was removed and only the seed was
inserted in the mill. Sunflower seeds were inserted without
dehulling as it is an inefficient process and hull residues do not
affect the oil extraction process. In order to estimate the content of
oil seed in each raw material, the average difference of four portions prior and after dehulling was calculated (Table 4).
Grounding was carried out using a conventional grounder. After
grounding, the samples were dried in an oven at 103
C for 12 h.
Their relative water percentage weights compared to the fresh seed
weight are given inTable 6after comparing thrice weight reduction
in samples.