RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research (Special Issue - October 2008), p. 12-15

PRODUCTIONS OF CAROTENOIDS AND TOCOLS CONCENTRATES FROM PALM OIL USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

PUAH Chiew Wei * ; CHOO Yuen May * ; MA Ah Ngan * ; CHUAH Cheng Hock **

ABSTRACT

A method using supercritical carbon dioxide to produce concentrated carotenoids and tocols from palm oil is described. The free fatty acids of crude palm oil were esterified by acid-catalysis followed by transesterification of the triglycerides into methyl esters. Methyl esters are considerably more soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide than the triglycerides and free fatty acids, and are preferentially dissolved leaving a solution of highly concentrated carotenoids (20.11 wt%) and tocols (10.66 wt%).

KEYWORDS:


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

** Department of Chemistry,
Faculty of Science,
University of Malaya,
Lembah Pantai,
50603 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.