Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 12 No. 1, June 2000, p. 117-122
PROPERTIES OF BIOSURFACTANT ENZYMATICALLY PREPARED FROM FRUCTOSE AND PALM FATTY ACID
ABSTRACT
A biosurfactant has been successfully synthesized from fructose and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) with Lipozyme IM as biocatalyst. Analysis of its physical and chemical properties showed that this surfactant had a melting point of 49°C-52.3°C and a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLP) of 16+. This HLB value is in the range suitable for use in cosmetics, detergents and foods. This surfactant, which was a fructose ester, also reduced the surface tension of water from 74 dynes cm-1 to 38.3 dynes cm-1.
KEYWORDS:*Chemical and Process Engineering Department, Faculty of
Engineering. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,Selangor, Malaysia
** Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute. JI. Brigjen Katamso No.
51. 20158 Medan, Indonesia.