METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION OF PALM KERNEL OIL (PKO) AND COCONUT OIL (CO) FROM VARIOUS PALM KERNEL SOURCES AND COPRA UTILIZING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE (SC-CO₂) TO OBTAIN DEFATTED PALM KERNEL FIBRE

摘要

This patent details a method for the extraction of palm kernel oil (PKO) and defatted palm kernel fibre from various sources of palm kernel. Three sources of palm kernel are outlined: raw palm kernel with testa, palm kernel without testa and palm kernel cake (PKC). This patent also details a method for the extraction of coconut oil (CO) from copra. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) is used as a solvent in the extraction process to extract the PKO and CO from the palm kernel and copra matrix. Parameters governing the SC-CO₂ extraction process, namely; temperature, pressure, SC-CO₂ flow rate and palm kernel particle size, are set at levels which allow the maximum amounts of PKO and CO to be extracted from the palm kernel and copra matrix. Once the extraction process is completed, two products are obtained from palm kernel: palm kernel oil and defatted palm kernel fibre. In the case of copra, two products are also obtained namely virgin coconut oil (VCO) and defatted coconut flesh fibre. Removal of the testa from palm kernel before the oil extraction step results in the extraction of colourless oil. The patent also details the testa removal process form palm kernel.