RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE INTENSITY AND CRUDE PALM OIL QUALITY

Crude palm oil quality is an important consideration in the production of refined palm oil of consistent high quality. The quality of crude palm oil is determined by the analysis of oxidative and hydrolytic par ameters such as peroxide value, anisidine value, free fatty acid conte nt and moisture and impurities, all very time consuming and counter-pr oductive for both crude palm oil mills and refineries to carry out. Th is study shows that laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) analysis can be u sed as an alternative to analysing all the common oxidative and hydrol ytic parameters mentioned. LIF at 673 nm was indicative of the oxidati ve quality of crude palm oil. There was also positive correlation betw een fluorescence intensity and the carotene and the deterioration of b leachability index of crude palm oil, and the Rancimat induction time of the final refined product.