Physico-chemical Characterization of Palm Kernel Oil Extracted from the Seeds of Two Varieties of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) for Possible Use in Feed or Food

This study was carried out in order to assess the quality of the type of palm kernel oil suitable for the alternative in animal oil in feed or food. To reach this objective, oil D and oil T extracted respectively from the seeds of the varieties Dura and Tenera of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) by the Soxhlet method using hexane as a solvent were analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics. The results obtained show that the values for the physical parameters (Oil yield, density and percentage of impurities) of both oils were similar and fell in those of the standards of Codex Alimentarius 2015. However, for the chemical parameters (Acid value, percentage of free fatty acids, peroxide value, saponification value and ester value), the values obtained for oil D were the highest, but for both oils, the values were above those recommended by the standards of Codex Alimentarius 2015, excepted the Saponification values and the Ester values which were below these standards. The determination of fatty acids composition by Gas Chromatography showed that these oils were not significantly different. Indeed, the totals saturated fatty acids were in amounts of 87.92% ± 0.17 and 87.53% ± 0.24, while the totals unsaturated fatty acids were in amounts of 12.08% ± 0.02 and 12.47% ± 0.02 respectively for oil D and oil T. The predominant fatty acid was lauric acid in amounts of 36.87% and 37.84% respectively for oil D and oil T.

Thus, these palm kernel oils could be used as ingredients and preservatives in feed due to their content in lauric acid which is known to possess antimicrobial properties and also to their content in unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids) which are an indicator of oil quality. However, oil T seems to be more suitable for the alternative in animal oil in feed due to its percentage of free fatty acid which is less than that of oil D.