A solvent extraction free, caustic refining free, process for producing
refined soybean oil from soybeans is described in which soybeans, after
cleaning, cracking and dehulling, are crushed in less than 60 seconds
while heating the soybeans to a frictionally generated temperature of
from about 300.degree. F. to about 370.degree. F. Free fatty acids are
then removed through physical refining, instead of previously employed
caustic refining, since the low level of nonhydratable phospholipids does
not create undesirable flavors during the physical refining process. The
resultant oil exhibits a significantly greater frylife that
non-hydrogenated soybean oil produced by solvent extraction and caustic
refining.
