In Malaysia, crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) are the main feedstock for the production of a wide variety of palm-based derivatives for both food and non-food applications including oleochemicals. These derivatives are widely used in the production of candles, cosmetics, soap, lubricants, grease, agrochemicals, etc. There are a number of fatty acids produced from palm kernel oil. One of them is oleic fatty acid (C18:1) and it is normally used in palm-based food products. The use of cypermethrin insecticide in oil palm plantations has resulted in a growing concern for the presence and danger of its residue in palm oil. Cypermethrin is commonly used to treat bagworms, nettle caterpillars and rhinoceros beetles. In order to ensure that C18:1 fatty acid used for palm-based food products are free from cypermetrin residue, a method has been developed to monitor the presence of this insecticide in C18:1 fatty acid. Cypermethrin (Figure 1) is the common name for (RS)-α-cyano-3 phenoxybenzyl (1RS)-cis, trans-3- (2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-imethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (C22H19Cl2 NO3 ). Aimcocyper, Ambush, Ammo, Cynoff and Cypercopal are some of the trade names of cypermethrin. In its pure form, cypermethrin, is an odourless crystal, while a sample of 93% purity is a viscous semi-solid. Its melting point is in the range of 60ºC-80°C. Cypermethrin is less soluble in water (0.01 mg litre-1). Its molecular weight is 416.3.

Main Research: Dr Halimah Muhammad