Study of comparison between batchwise solvent extraction and continuous counter-current extraction of crude palm oil with single solvent

Palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis) is one of the main commodities in Indonesia. The extraction methods (batch-wise solvent extraction (BSE) and continuous counter-current extraction (CCE)) were the innovative methods for the refinery of palm oil. Both of those methods were more eco-friendly and the economic value might be higher than the chemical and physical methods. The solvent of this method could be recovered and reused. From the previous research, the single solvent (ethanol) extraction was more effective than binary solvent (ethanol and n-hexane) extraction. In batch-wise solvent extraction, the raw material of crude palm oil (CPO) and the ethanol as single solvent were stirred in a mixing tank with several rpm and time. After the mixing process, the two layers were formed, and then it was separated. This process was applied in eight stages. In continuous counter-current extraction, the raw material and the solvent were pumped into the extraction-packed column system. The product non-polar lipid fraction (NPLF) and polar lipid fraction (PLF) were collected into the tank. The gas chromatography analysis was applied to measure the purity of free fatty acids and triglycerides content of the products. The effectiveness of the method was represented by both of decreasing factor of FFA and increasing factor of TG. It was found that the lowest decreasing factor of FFA (0.2) and increasing factor of TG (1.1) obtained by the BSE method starting CPO with FFA contents of 3.9%. From the T-test analysis, the products of BSE and CCE were not significantly different. Moreover, the colorimetry analysis showed that the carotenoid content of the products was higher than that of the palm cooking oil from domestic suppliers.