Solubility of Palm Oil Components in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The effects of operating pressures and temperatures on the solubilities of acylglycerols and free fatty acids (FFA) of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) were determined using a dynamic (flow-through) supercritical fluid extraction system. The solubility of palm oil was also investigated. The experiments were carried out in a 3 X 3 factorial design with three equally spaced pressures (14, 22 and 30 MPa) and three equally spaced temperatures (40, 60 and 80°C). The solubilities (mg/g CO2) of acylglycerols and FFA followed this order: TAG > FFA > DAG > MAG for high pressure. However, highest solubility of FFA was observed at low pressure. The results showed that the solubility of palm oil in SC-CO2 was in the range of 0.1751 ± 0.0007 to 6.60 ± 0.03 mg/g for the conditions studied. The solubility of palm oil in SC-CO2 is significantly influenced by the solubilities of acylglycerols and FFA. The optimum condition for maximum solubility of palm oil was found to be at 60°C and 30 MPa. The experimental data obtained for the palm oil solubility was compared with other vegetable oils and correlated by the improved density-based equation proposed by del Valle-Aguilera.