Some aspects of palm oil bleaching with activated plantain peel ash

Abstract

The present study seeks to investigate the bleaching of palm oil with activated plantain peel ash (APPA). Concentrations of β-carotene, iron, copper, lead, and phosphorus in the crude (unbleached) and bleached palm oil were evaluated. The peroxide value, anisidine value, acidity and colour of the oils were also determined. The objectives were to assess the bleaching performance of the APPA, compare the performance of APPA with that of a commercial natural earth (Pure-Flo Neutral B-80) and investigate the effects of particle size of APPA and APPA/oil ratio on the bleaching performance of APPA. The results indicated that APPA significantly decreased all the investigated characteristics apart from acidity. Results also indicated that Pure-Flo Neutral B-80 slightly performed better than APPA under the same experimental conditions.