Various forms of distillation are used in the food processing industry to separate and purify volatile food products from aqueous blends. A common type of distillation implemented for such applications is vacuum distillation. To learn more about the role of vacuum distillation in food processing, continue reading. 

What Is Vacuum Distillation?

Essentially, vacuum distillation is the process of separating a liquid compound based on differences in boiling points. It takes place under reduced pressure which decreases its boiling point and allows the process to take place at a lower temperature.

To understand the role of vacuum distillation in food processing, it is also important to first understand how vacuum distillation works.

During the process, the pressure in the column above the solvent is lowered so that it is less than the vapor pressure of the compound. As a result, a vacuum is created which causes the elements of the compound that have a lower vapor pressure to evaporate, leaving behind a purified distillate. This process is ideal for purifying compounds quickly and efficiently and is beneficial for compounds that are not readily distilled at ambient pressures.

The Use of Vacuum Distillation in Food Processing

Vacuum distillation is widely used in the food processing industry for numerous different applications. Generally, fractional distillation is used as an initial means to separate liquid components. However, creating the extremely pure components necessary in the food processing industry through the implementation of only fractional distillation is generally highly challenging or virtually impossible. As such, successive uses of fractional distillation such as vacuum distillation in food industry are often implemented to achieve a higher degree of purity. Some of the most common uses of vacuum distillation in the food processing industry include:

• The creation of flavors
• The production of alcoholic beverages from raw materials such as fruits or grains
• Concentrating essential oils
• Deodorizing fats and oils

If you are in the business of food processing, you can find a wide variety of high-quality distillation equipment at USA Lab equipment. From vacuum distillation kits to rotary evaporator systems, you can purchase all the equipment you need here. For more information regarding our new and used laboratory equipment, contact us today.