Comparative Analysis of Physico-Chemical Properties of Extracted and Collected Palm Oil and Tallow

Abstract

Palm oil was extracted from palm fruits while animal fat (tallow) from Cow. Various samples of both palm oil and tallow were also obtained from the market. Determination of the physico-chemical properties were made on these reference and collected samples. The results obtained from the reference samples of both palm oil and tallow are as follows: Relative density: palm oil; 0.875 and tallow; 0.909. Moisture content: palm oil; 0.24%m/m and tallow; 0.13%m/m. Free fatty acid: palm oil; 2.12% and tallow; 0.559%. Acid value: palm oil; 4.217 mg KOH / g of oil and tallow; 1.113 mg KOH / g of oil. Saponification value: palm oil; 191.324 mg KOH / g of oil and tallow; 190.763 mg KOH / g of oil. Peroxide value: palm oil; Nil and tallow; Nil. Unsaponifiable matter: palm oil; 3.033g/kg and tallow; 1.133g/kg. Iodine value: palm oil; 53.870 and tallow; 44.154. Soap content: palm oil; 0.003m/m and tallow; 0m/m. Insoluble impurities: palm oil; 0.001m/m and tallow; 0.001m/m. Titre value: palm oil; 41.5 oC and tallow; 42.5 oC. Rancidity: palm oil; negative and tallow; negative. The conclusion derived from these analyses is that, some of the samples do not comply with the standards given by the regulatory bodies (Standard Organization of Nigeria, and National Food and Drug Administration and Control).

Keywords: Free fatty acid, Lipids, Palm oil, Rancidity, Saponification, Tallow.