Comparative Analysis on Physicochemical Properties and Chemical Composition of Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils

Abstract

Coconut and Palm kernel oils are important edible oils in food and in manufacturing industries. Their biological importance, particularly their  antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have been traced to the presence of fatty acids. This study is a comparative analysis on the  physicochemical properties and chemical composition of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. The extraction of the oils and determination of  physicochemical properties were done employing established methods. The chemical compositions for both oils were ascertained with a Gas  chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results from the physicochemical properties for coconut and palm kernel oils are specific gravity  (0.91, 0.92), refractive index (1.45, 1.45), acid value (0.62 mgKOH/g, 1.824 mgKOH/g), iodine value (10.72 g/100g, 12.69 g/100g), peroxide value (2.94  meq/kg, 1.5 meq/kg) and saponification value (323.85 mgKOH/g, 308.55 mgKOH/g) respectively. The GC-MS revealed 10 and 12 chemical  compounds in coconut and palm kernel oil respectively, typically dominated by fatty acids. The results ttest to its usefulness in food and in  manufacturing industry.