Fatty Acid Direct Production from Palm Kernel Oil

Abstract

Fatty acid is one of oleochemical products that can be obtained from palm kernel oil. The fatty acids can be produced enzymatically hydrolyzing palm oil by using lipase. This study aims to assess the conversion of palm kernel oil into fatty acids with activate lipase enzyme in palm kernel. Observation of this research consist of variety of duration of hydrolysis, the hydrolysis reaction temperature, and the addition of water. The highest percentage of fatty acid produced in this research is 34.645 %. This result obtained at 2 hours of hydrolysis reaction time and 40% of water addition at 35 °C, and the fatty acid produced in this study is dominated by lauric acid with a composition of 52.465%.