1.0 Introduction
Palm oil that has been staple in the human diet for more than 50 years, has been thrust into fore front because of its health related benefit. Palm oil is currently the second largest edible oil in term of global production. And largest single oil that is exported. (website).
Palm oil contain about 50% saturated and 80% unsaturated fatty acids. Some of the fatty acids may be attached to another molecules as in phospholipids which others may be seen as in free fatty acids ie they are not attached to other molecules or compounds (website).
This fatty acid present in palm oil can be extracted using soxhlet extractor. The solvent used here is hexane (Allen 1989).
1.1 Aim / Objectives
This work is aimed at extracting the fatty acid present in palm oil. This is done with soxhlet extractor and Hexane are used as the solvent.
1.2 Statements of Problem
Palm oil contain fatty acid which are basis of interference in fats and hence constitute a problem which may result in rancidity of palm oil.
1.3 Limitations
In this study, extraction of fatty acid is limited to saponifiable palm oil. Due to lack of standards, different or individual fatty acids are not identified. The soxhlet attraction. Method wastes a lot of time and energy. Though good quality of fatty acids are produced it cannot be applied in the industry.
1.4 Hypothesis
Palm oil contains fatty acids which are either saturated or unsaturated. These fatty acids can also be extracted from palm oil this basis of this study.
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