Partial Transesterification of Palm Oil with EtOH on Producing Diglycerides as Emulsifying Agent

ABSTRACT : The high of palm oil production growth push the need for diversification of palm oil into other products with high economic value. One of the products is an emulsifying agent. Emulsifying agent made from vegetable oils is biodegradable, so it does not pollute the environment, and sustainable supply is guaranteed because it comes from natural resources that can be renewed. In the production of an emulsifying agent made from raw palm oil, the transesterification reaction is an initial stage that will affect quality of the product.

This study aims to assess the condition of partial transesterification of palm oil. Transesterification process using palm oil and NaOH as a catalyst. Variables used are percent of the catalyst weight NaOH (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 {mol NaOH / kg oil}), the transesterification temperature (40, 50, 60, and 70 ° C), the transesterification time (15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes), and reactant ratios (1:3, 1:4, 1:5, and 1:6 mol {oil: ethanol mole}), to assess the impact on performance of diglycerides producted . Diglycerides product tested for its ability as an emulsifying agent in lowering the surface tension of water and in maintaining the stability of emulsion oil / water.

The results showed that the diglycerides producted has the ability lower the surface tension of water at the optimum percent of catalyst weight NaOH of 0.3 mol NaOH / kg of oil, transesterification temperature 50^oC, reaction time 30 minutes, and reactant ratio 1 oil mole : 6 ethanol mole.

Keywords : emulsifying agents, diglycerides, palm oil, NaOH, transesterification
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