Abstract
Crude palm oil was treated with phosphoric, poly-phosphoric, tartaric or oxalic acid at 80°C for 1h followed by molecular distillation. Carotene fractions were collected at 215°C and 225°C under a pressure of 68×10-3mmHg after removal of the lower boiling fractions. Carotene content was determined as β-carotene by spectrophotometry. The color number of residual oils was measured by a Lovibond Tintometer, type E.
Carotene recovery and enrichment ratio of the fractions at 215°C were 11.918.2% and 2.63.4, respectively, and the highest values of both were obtained for oil treated with poly-phosphoric acid. As for the fractions at 225°C, the highest enrichment ratio and carotene recovery were obtained in the case of oil treated with phosphoric acid, the respective values were 3.8 and 28.1%.
The loss of carotene during distillation was observed in all cases. The degree of bleaching of residual oil was inadequate in all cases.
The distillation of hybrid palm oil containing carotenes more than ordinary crude palm oil was also carried out.
