Why is lecithin recovered from degummed soybean oil?

Lecithin is recovered from degummed soybean oil because the process of water refining, or degumming, naturally separates phospholipids from the crude oil. These phospholipids, which are waxy or gummy solids, are the primary source of commercial lecithin.1

Once dried, this recovered material is highly valued as an emulsifier and wetting agent. Its ability to stabilize mixtures of oil and water makes it an essential ingredient in a wide variety of commercial products, including margarine, chocolate, animal feeds, cosmetics, and paints. By extracting these phospholipids during the degumming stage, manufacturers not only improve the quality of the oil for further refining or industrial use but also capture a versatile, commercially useful byproduct.123