A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LOCALLY MADE AND REFINED PALM KERNEL OIL ( Elaeis guineensis)

ABSTRACT Chemical analysis of crude and refined palm kernel oil (PKO) was carried out using AOCS and AOAC methods and the following results were obtained: for crude PKO, saponification value; 206 mgKOH/g, iodine value; 14.86 g/100, peroxide value; 14.20 mEq/kg, free fatty acid (FFA); 5.20 mgKOH/g, moisture content; 0.28%, specific gravity; 0.903g/cm 3 density; 0.903. The corresponding values for refined PKO using the same methods include saponification value; 249 mgKOH/g, iodine value; 17.60g/100, peroxide value; 10.00mEq/kg, free fatty acid (FFA); 3.30 mgKOH/g, moisture content; 1.45%, specific gravity; 0.900g/cm 3 , density; 0.89. The result of the characterization shows that the crude palm kernel oil is not easily perishable since it contains a low moisture content of 0.28%, and the low FFA value of the refined palm kernel oil is an indication that the oils will be most suitable for biodiesel as an alternative to the conventional diesel.