Total Carotenoids, Tocopherols and Free fatty Acids Levels of Palm Oils Produced from small Scale Mills in Ovia - North East Local Government area of Edo State-Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the total carotenoids, tocopherols and Free Fatty Acid(FFA) levels of oils produced from small scale mills and to evaluate their antioxidant effects. The study areas were located in Ovia-North East Local Government area of Edo State. The methods of harvesting, processing of the fruits and the storage of the oils were observed because of the positive effects the latter have on quality. Samples of palm oil were collected in duplicates with 100ml screw cap glass sample bottles from the storage drums of the ten (10) small scale mills.The total tocopherols and carotenoids of the oil samples were determined by the AOCS methods. The moisture content of the oils was determined with an electronic moisture analyser.The Free Fatty Acid was determined by the titrimetric method of sodium hydroxide. The results indicated that most of the oils were prone to oxidation and hydrolysis as their moisture (between 0.15 ± 0.01% and 0.53 ± 0.03%), tocopherols (between19.50 ± 0.10mg/100g and 51.0 ± 0.00mg/100g) and carotenoids (between 24.40 ± 0.10mg/100g and 65.0 ± 0.20mg/100g) values  suggest. Statistical analysis revealed that significant difference exists between the mean of each of the parameters of the oil sample analyzed. The FFA results indicated that the oils were oxidized which suggested that the the carotenoids and tocopherols did not play their expected roles because their antioxidant limit exceeded.

Keywords: Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Moisture, Free FattyAcids, Small Scale Mills, Palm oil