Virgin coconut oil production production by centrifugation

• Main Author: Hartina Hussin
• Format: Undergraduate Final Project Report
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://discol.umk.edu.my/id/eprint/5752/

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is obtained from fresh and mature kernel (12 months old from pollination) of the coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) by mechanical or natural means with or without the application of heat, which does not lead to alteration of the nature of the oil. The study of virgin coconut oil production through centrifugation method is hoped to provide a better understanding of factor affect the yield of virgin coconut oil and present of active compounds in this virgin coconut oil. Production of virgin coconut oil was carried out successfully using the centrifugation method. An intact, the yield of virgin coconut oil was higher with the increasing of centrifugation speed with a yield of 13.53% of 12000rpm, whereas at 120 minutes it gave a yield of 13.53% and the yield of virgin coconut oil at 40°C gave a value of 13.80%. The moisture contents were in the range between 0.88% and 1.03%. The virgin coconut oil was then subjected for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in order to determine the active compounds. HPLC was done successfully using reverse-phase HPLC and by using lauric acid standard with the injector temperature at 35°C. 5µL of the sample was injected into the HPLC system and the mobile phase used was 100:0, acetonitrile:methanol with the flow rate of 3.5mL/min. The highest peak was observed on the chromatogram and compared with the peak on the satndard lauric acid chromatogram. Virgin coconut oil production through centrifugation method and determination of active compounds by high performance liquid chromatography was managed to be performed.