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heat bleaching
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heat bleaching

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Quick Summary

Heat bleaching is a process used in the fat and oil industry to further remove color from oils. When oils are heated to temperatures above 175 °C (347 °F), a phenomenon known as heat bleaching occurs. This process involves the decomposition of certain pigments, such as carotenoids, by the heat, converting them into colorless materials. While effective for color removal, heat bleaching can sometimes reduce an oil's resistance to rancidity because natural antioxidants may be removed along with impurities.1

Bleaching, in a broader sense, is the use of chemical agents to whiten or remove color from various materials like fibers, textiles, and paper. Common bleaching agents include chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. bleach
  2. fat and oil processing - Bleaching

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