A Simple Refning Technique of Coconut Oil for Small Holder Industries
Abstract: A simple refning
equipment and process for small holder industries of edible coconut oil has
been investigated. The equipment consisted of 20-L fltering and NaOH
neutralization bottles. Filtration was intended to remove impurities such as
gums and pigment, while neutralization was to remove free fatty acids (FFA) and
other non-fat materials. In the experiment, the crude coconut oil was found to
have impurity of 0.16%, FFA of 8.02%, saponifcation number of 270, and water
content of 0.33%. The results showed that either granular activated carbon
(GAC) or zeolite fltration can be chosen individually to remove physical impurity.
The GAC or zeolite-fltered coconut oil contained impurity less than the SNI
standard of 0.05%. In term of FFA; however, the NaOH neutralized coconut oil
did not meet the SNI standard of 0.3%. After NaOH neutralization, the GAC
fltered oil contained 1.20% FFA; while the zeolite fltered oil contained 1.32%.
These FFA contents were defnitely higher than the SNI standard, but could
satisfy APCC standard for grade IV coconut oil which is 5%. The refned coconut
oils could also satisfy the SNI standard of saponifcation number which is 196 –
206 at minimum. In term of water content, either the fltered or the neutralized
oil could also satisfy the SNI standard of 0.3%. In short, the proposed
technique could help farmers refne their raw coconut oil, and hopefully improve
its marketability.
Author: Sugeng Triyono dan
Agus Haryanto
Journal Code: jppertaniandd090110