A solvent-free glycerolysis process has been developed to convert free fatty acids (FFA) into neutral oil using fatty acids distillates from vegetable oil refinery. The process is a catalystfree reaction and able to achieve 98% conversion of FFA into neutral oil. The neutral oil produced can be transesterified into fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The […]

The importance of monitoring crude palm oil (CPO) quality cannot be overemphasised when we consider the fact that good-quality refined oils must be produced from high quality CPO. The trend to produce CPO with low (<1.5%) free fatty acid (FFA) has increased among the millers as it commands a premium price due to its hygienic […]

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) has high soluble and insoluble organic materials, which contribute to its high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) content, thus, posing a challenge in treating it. More challenges are anticipated if the limit of BOD level below 20 ppm were to be imposed by the Department of Environment. Currently, the industry is […]

Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a byproduct of palm oil refinery process, comprising mostly fatty acids (70% as palmitic acid) and some valuable minor components such as vitamin E, sterols, and squalene (Table 1). PFAD has various food and non-food applications such as animal feed, feedstock for laundry and toilet soaps. PFAD can be […]

Xylooligosaccharides (XO) is a sugarbased product of lignocellulosic material produced from forestry, agricultural or industrial wastes. They possess a variety of beneficial health properties particularly in prebiotic activities and as food additives. Malaysia produces an abundance of oil palm biomass, in which one of it is empty fruit bunch (EFB). EFB is about 21%-22% of […]