3.5.

1 Palm Oil Analysis

3.5.1.1 Free Fatty Acid

Free fatty acids are formed by splitting of the fatty acids from triglycerides and FFA test assess
the degree of this acid formation. FFA has been principal criterion of palm oil quality. Fresh
Fruit Bunch (FFB) contains an enzyme known as lipase enzyme. This enzyme breaks apart the
oil content in the FFB giving the FFA and the glycerol molecules. When the temperature more
than 50C, the lipase enzyme will become inactive therefore it cant break apart the triglyceride
molecule.

Procedure:-

a) The specified amount of the sample in Erlenmeyer Flask is weighted

b) 50 ml of isopropanol alcohol and 0.5 ml of phenolphthalein is added in another
Erlenmeyer Flask
c) Both samples are placed on hot plate and the temperature to about 40C
d) Both samples are mixed together and titrated with standard alkali, 0.1 N potassium
hydroxide until change to red color.
e) The result is calculated and recorded
f) FFA result calculation
25.6
FFA % as palmitic acid (palm oil and fraction) =
Where,

N: Sodium Hydroxide (NaoH)

V: NaoH Volume of Titration

W: Volume of oil sample

3.5.1.2 Volatile Matter (VM)

The volatile matter is defined as the loss in weight of the oil or kernel when heated under the test
conditions specified. The lower moisture contents can results in rapid increase in FFA of oil and
reduce bleachability. The value of volatile matter should be less than 2.2%. The procedure of this
analysis is below:-

Procedure

a) Place aluminium petri dish in moisture analyzer

b) Adjust the moisture analyzer on mode 5 and tempreture 115C
c) Put the CPO sample about 8.0 g to 8.20 g
d) Wait until done heated and the result shown automatically at moisture analyzer screen

3.5.1.3 Deterioration of Bleacheability Index (DOBI)

Deterioration of Bleacheability Index (DOBI) is a ratio of absorbance at wavelength,

maximum and minimum equal to 446 nm and 269 respectively. A UV visible system of slits
focused the desired wavelength on the palm oil sample cell. In this typical double beams
instrument, the light emanating from the light source si slpit into two beams, which are the
sample beams, which are the sample beam (mixture of palm oil and hexane) and the reference
beam (hexane only).

Procedure:-
a) 0.1 g of oil sample is weighted in 25 ml volumetric flask
b) N-Hexane is added in volumetric flask until meniscus level and the sample is shake
c) The dilution is filled into a quart cell and placed into UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
d) By waiting a few minutes, the result is appeared and recorded
e) The minimum result required should be 2.35
3.5.1.4 Dirt Test
The insoluble impurities are determined by filtration through glass fibre filter and calculated as
weight percentage of the oil. The maximum dirt content allowed has been 0.01% and dirt
content higher than this encourage the growth of lipolytic microorganisms which is responsible
for the increasing of FFA, by acting as a source of nutrients for the lipolytic micro-organisms.

Procedure:-
a) The empty beaker and crucible + filter paper are weighted
b) About 8 g of oil sample is added into beaker
c) Then, the n-haxane is poured into beaker
d) The solution is added into vacuum to remove water
e) The remaining solids is put into crucible and place inside oven for drying process
f) The result is calculated by formula as below:-

(empty crucible + filter paper + dry dirt) (empty crucible + filter paper) / oil mass x
100%
g) The limit of dirt in CPO should be less than 0.02%
3.5.2 Kernel Test

3.5.2.1 Volatile Matter (VM)

The volatile matter is an unused substance. The procedure of this test is the kernel sample is
taken from storage. Then the kernel is grinded and filled into moisture analyzer about 7g to 8g.
By waiting a few minutes, the result is appeared and recorded. The high quality of kernel should
lower than 7%.

3.5.2.2 Dirt Test

10 kg of the kernel sample is weighted and spread on the clean surface. The sample is separated
kernel, half cracked, uncracked nut, loose shell and dirt (fibre and other foreign matter). The
shell is removed from the half cracked and uncracked nuts and added to the loose shell and dirt.
The shell and dirt are weighted together to the nearest 0.5 g.

Formula in calculating dirt in palm kernel:-

(Total nut and broken nut / 2) + shell x 100%)

3.5.3 Nut Histogram

The mill received Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) from different suppliers. So, the size of nut and
kernel is different because it comes from different sources. To identify the size of nuts and
kernels, the gauging holes is used. The oblong holes in the plate are identical in form with the
screen perforations. The procedure of this test is below:-

a) 1 kg of samples is taken from different part

b) Then the samples are insert into gauging holes according to their size. The broken nut
exclude in this test
c) The nut and kernel are weight and the number of nut and kernel is recorded
3.5.4 Losses Analysis in Palm Oil Mill

3.5.4.1 Extraction of Oil Loss Test

The oil loss in the sterilizer condensate is excluded from the list of measurement losses
used to calculate the efficiency. At KS Chalok, the oil loss test done by using sample from press
cake and decanter. At the press cake, the samples which are sludge taken before and after
decanter machine and also taken at Mixed Raw Effluent (MRE). Oil loss is expressed as the
amount of oil per dry matter (ODM). The amounts of oil on this extraction are given as
percentage. The oil can be obtained by calculating the amount of loss, while the dry matter can
be measured by substracting 100 with the volatile moisture (VM).

Notice that the values of VM are from the deviation between sludge and crucible before
and after heating. The sample is taken and weighted using an analytical balance. Then the sludge
sample is put into oven at 105 for 16 hours, whereas the fibre sample heated in microwave
oven by 5 Low, 2 High and 2 High adjustment. They dry sample is weighted on an analytical
balance before extracted.