The groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the important oil seed crop in legume family and it is a good source of protein and fiber. Groundnut oil is often used as healthy edible oil in some countries around the world. The nutrients that can be found in groundnut oil include a low percentage of saturated fats, a high percentage of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat and also rich in essential vitamins and have good antioxidant properties. Therefore it can be used and introduced as an edible instead of coconut oil which is commonly used in Sri Lanka. Red Spanish, Tissa, Walawa, Indi, Tikiri, ANKG1 are the main varieties cultivate in Sri Lanka.

Through this research we developed a process line for groundnut oil extraction from local groundnut verities by using Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) expeller machine. It was powered by a 5 hp three-phase electric motor. The quality of refined oil was analysed in terms of saponification value, free fatty acid, refractive index and specific gravity and the results are within the SLS standards. The oil yield was about 270 ml/kg nuts.