TAF PUBLISHING

This study talks about the experiments involving sub-critical carbon dioxide extraction of palm oil from treated palm mesocarp to determine palm oil yield and concentration of beta-carotene. For comparison, the conventional method of Soxhlet Extraction with six different solvents was used. The overall oil yield was measured as the weight of oil per weight of the sample, while antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. The sub-critical extraction was conducted at a constant temperature of 30˚C and four different pressures of 10 MPa, 15 MPa, 20 MPa, and 25 MPa. The sub-critical extraction produced high concentration of beta-carotene than Soxhlet extraction, even though the oil yield was lower. Furthermore, the anti-oxidant analysis showed a similar trend as the concentration of beta carotene. The best condition of sub-critical extraction was obtained at 25 MPa and 30˚C.