RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 17 June 2005, p. 6-10

ENHANCEMENT OF COLD STABILITY OF PALM OIL METHYL ESTERS

OOI Tian Lye, Dr ; TEOH, C.M ** ; YEONG Shoot Kiat, Dr ; MAMOT, S ** ; SALMIAH Ahmad, Dr

ABSTRACT

As with palm oil, palm oil methyl esters (POME) have poor cold stability. This drawback has limited their use in low temperatures. The objectives of this research were to identify some additives suitable for reducing the pour point and cloud point of POME to improve its low temperature performance. Of the additives used, EP produced the most promising results. The biggest reduction in pour point was about 15.0ºC (addition of 2% EP to POME) while the biggest depression in cloud point was about 6.4ºC (addition of 4% EP to POME).

KEYWORDS:


* Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
P. O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
E-mail: ooitl@mpob.gov.my

** School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.