Evaluating the Bleaching Performance of Acid Modified Locally Available Clays from Niger State on Crude Palm Oil

Abstract

Locally available clay samples collected from Niger State were modified using H2SO4 for the purpose of replacing imported clay used for bleaching palm oil and the bleaching performance of the modified local clays on palm oil evaluated. Four different samples of locally available clay and crude palm oil were bleached after it has been degummed and neutralized. The absorbance of crude and bleached palm oil samples was measured and the free fatty acid content determined as a measure of the bleaching performance of the modified clays. UV spectrometer and classical method respectively. The results obtained showed that as the molar concentration of the acid solution was increased, the performance of the modified clays also increased, with different samples showing different optimal bleaching performance for the clay samples. The results obtained also showed that the locally available clay could be a good alternative for the currently imported clays used for bleaching during processing of palm oil.