DEGUMMING Meaning and
Definition
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Degumming is a process used to remove impurities, such as gums and phospholipids, from various natural substances, typically oils and fatty substances. The term is commonly used in the context of vegetable oil refining but can also be applied to other substances like silk or natural fiber processing.
In oil refining, degumming is an essential step to eliminate undesirable substances present in crude oil, which can affect taste, color, stability, and overall quality of the final product. The impurities, known as gums, are typically water-soluble, sticky substances that can cause foaming, cloudiness, and enhance the risk of oxidation. Degumming involves treating the oil with water or an acid solution, allowing the gums to hydrate and separate from the oil. The mixture is then subject to centrifugation or other physical methods to remove the gums, resulting in a degummed oil with improved quality and clarity.
The degumming process also finds application in the textile industry for silk degumming. Silk fibers are produced by silkworms and have a natural coating called sericin or gum. To make the silk more manageable and enhance its luster, silk cocoons are degummed to remove this gum. The process typically involves boiling the cocoons in water or treating them with a specialized enzyme solution, thereby dissolving the sericin and making the silk softer and shinier.
In essence, degumming refers to the removal of unwanted gums or impurities through various techniques, leading to a cleaner, higher quality end product.
Common Misspellings for DEGUMMING
Etymology of DEGUMMING
The word "degumming" is derived from the combination of two elements: "de-" and "gum".
- "De-" is a prefix in English that is commonly used to indicate negation or removal. It comes from the Latin prefix "de-", meaning "down" or "away from". It is often used to reverse the action of a verb or remove a particular quality or substance.
- "Gum" refers to a sticky, viscous substance that is often obtained from certain plants, particularly trees. In this context, it specifically refers to the natural gums or sticky materials found in fibers, such as silk or flax.
So, "degumming" can be understood as a process or action of removing or reducing the gum-like substances from fibers or materials, typically through various industrial or chemical treatments.
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