Effect of Different Extraction Methods on the Quality and Stability of Coconut Oil
Fabrice Tonfack Djikeng *
School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Catholic University Institute of Buea, P.O.Box 563, Buea, Cameroon and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
Mazarine Cecile Ndambwe Mouto
School of Engineering, Catholic University Institute of Buea, P.O.Box 563, Buea, Cameroon.
Gires Boungo Teboukeu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon
Hilaire Macaire Womeni
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O.Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study was conducted in order to assess the effect of different extraction methods on the physicochemical properties of coconut oil.
Study Design: Coconut harvesting, cleaning, oil extraction, quality analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: General Science Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Catholic University Institute of Buea, South-West Region, Cameroon, from January 2018 to June 2018.
Methodology: Oil samples were extracted from coconuts through five different methods, the traditional method 1 (Boiling and grilling for 2 hours), the traditional method 2 (cooling and grilling for 18 min), the maceration method (Hexane extraction), oven drying + pressing (Pressing 1) and finally sun drying + Pressing (Pressing 2). The obtained oils were then characterised by determining their Peroxide, Thiobarbituric acid, Iodine, Acid values and oxidative stability (Rancimat method).
Results: Results showed that the traditional method 1 significantly (p<0.05) alter the quality of coconut oil. The best extraction methods were hexane extraction, pressing methods 1 and 2, as they preserve better the quality of coconut oil and have the highest induction and stability times. Among these, hexane extraction and pressing method 1 were the best.
Conclusion: The maceration and pressing methods are the best techniques for coconut oil extraction, as they preserve better its quality.
Keywords: Coconut oil, extraction methods, quality