Refining of palm kernel oil

Description

Abstract This work studied the refining of crude palm kernel oil derived from the kernels within the nut of a palm fruit. This research project was aimed at reducing the non-glycerides present in oil in their crude form using an alkali method of refining. The crude palm kernel oil was first washed with distilled water by heating the mixture in an electric heater for about 2 hours to reduce the impurities present in the oil in their crude form, degummed with phosphoric acid and neutralized with NaOH (caustic soda).The saponification value, iodine value, and acid value was analyzed and their values are: for crude palm kernel oil, 33.1, 695.45 and 746.13 respectively, for neutralized palm kernel oil, 11.22, 725.6 and 687.24 respectively.