The Potential and Characterization of Oil Palm Loose Fruits (Lf) by Steaming and Pressure Steaming (Autoclaving) Process

Abstract

Generally the palm loose fruits (LF) that have passed the processing time are considered as solid waste. In this study, the potential of palm loose fruits (LF) will be investigated. Mechanical extraction to obtain crude palm oil (CPO) from palm loose fruits (LF) will be carried out. Before enter the extraction process, oil palm loose fruits (LF) will be softened by heating using steaming or pressure steaming (autoclaving). The oil palm loose fruits (LF) that have passed the processing delay of 4, 8 and 12 days will be characterized and investigated related to the composition of the mesocarp, seeds and yields, both by steaming and autoclaving. It was found that the composition of mesocarp of oil palm loose fruits (LF) at different processing delay by steaming or autoclaving process was ± 55% and the yield of oil (CPO) was around 15.3 -16.64%. The results also showed that autoclaving will give significantly more yields than steaming when the oil palm loose fruits (LF) had a 12-day delay in processing. The composition of the seeds or kernels of oil palm loose fruits (LF) was around 45%. Seeds known as kernels which can be processed to produce crude palm kernel oil (CPKO), further could offer the added economic value of palm loose fruits (LF). In addition, this study found that CPO of oil palm loose fruits (LF) contain palmitic acid, while palmitic acid increased with increasing processing delay of palm loose fruits. The palmitic acid content increases due to the hydrolysis process of the palm loose fruits. Palmitic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid that has similarities with hydrocarbon compounds found in petroleum, so it can be determined that oil palm loose fruits (LF) that have passed the processing time up to 12 days still have potential as a source of biofuels.