The quality of crude palm oil (CPO) must be maintained since it plays an important role in fulfilling the domestic and global needs (food and non-food). The quality of CPO is determined by the color, Free Fatty Acid (FFA) and carotene. This study was aimed at examining the effect of bentonite concentration (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%) and contact time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) on the quality of crude palm oil. The refining processes of CPO through degumming, bleaching and distillation were carried out before the analysis on color, FFA and carotene was done. The results showed that the effect of bentonite concentration (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%) experienced the highest percentage in reduction at 3.0% (color 88.7%, FFA 2.99% and carotene 56.37%). Meanwhile, the effect of contact time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) experienced the highest percentage in reduction at 60 min (color 89.58%, FFA 2.38%, carotene 61.32%). The reduction in the CPO's color, FFA and carotene found in this study indicates that bentonite concentration and contact time are proven to be effective methods for CPO refinery based on the standard set by Malaysian Palm Oil Refiners Association. This study also showed that the removal efficiency and adsorption capacity of FFA and carotene were also affected by contact time and bentonite concentration.
Keywords: Bentonite; Carotene; Color; Crude palm oil; Free fatty acid.
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