Low temperature soybean oil hydrogenation by an electrochemical process

Hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids present in soybean oil is accomplished by chemical reduction under mild reaction conditions using relatively very small concentrations (0.7 M) of sodium formate and formic acid. The formate ion is continuously regenerated at the cathode by an electrochemical reaction, and hence it is described as a mediator-assisted electrochemical (MEH) process. The influence of various process variables such as the addition of surfactant, catalyst, electrocatalyst (i.e. mediator or hydrogen donor), pH, nickel catalyst on the extent of hydrogenation, trans fatty acid formation, and the fatty acid profile is described. As compared to the commercial gaseous hydrogenation process, the application of MEH technique results in up to 80% reduction in trans fatty acid while accomplishing the similar level of hydrogenation.