Abstract:
Refining of crude red fruit oil (CRFO) through the degumming and neutralization steps intended to produce oil free of impurities (non triglycerides) such as phospholipids, proteins, residues and carbohydrates, and also reducing the amount of free fatty acids (FFA). This study aims to determine the effect of red fruit oil purification through degumming and neutralization stages on chemical properties, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content and tocopherol of red fruit oil (RFO). The results showed that degumming of CRFO did not affect the decrease in water content, FFA levels, peroxide numbers, iodine values, carotenoids and tocopherols content; but decrease in levels of phosphorus, β-carotene and α-tocopherol. Neutralization of degummed-RFO (DRFO) did not affect the decrease in water content, iodine value, carotenoid, tocopherol and α-tocopherol; but the FFA levels, peroxide number, phosphorus and β-carotene levels decreased significantly. The fatty acid composition of RFO was dominated by unsaturated fatty acids (± 75%), which increases through degumming and neutralization stages. β- carotene is more sensitive than α-tocopherol during refining process of crude oil, but in general, this process can improve the RFO quality.
