Press cake is the solid residue remaining after mechanical pressing of oilseeds, retaining a moderate level of residual oil and used as animal feed or as feedstock for further solvent extraction.
In trade practice
After an expeller or screw press extracts oil from sunflower, rapeseed or other oilseeds, the resulting press cake is sampled for residual oil, moisture and protein content before dispatch or further processing. Feed buyers require a certificate of analysis confirming these parameters. Press cake destined for solvent extraction is assessed for residual oil to determine whether a second extraction pass is economically justified. Contamination with mycotoxins or pesticide residues must be checked under EU feed-safety rules.
In a specification
A feed ingredient specification for press cake typically states maximum residual oil, minimum crude protein and maximum moisture on an air-dry basis, along with applicable feed-safety compliance references.