Efeito do tipo de terra branqueadora na qualidade final do óleo de palma RBD

Abstract

This work has the purpose to evaluate the final quality of RBD (refined) palm oil according to a modification of a processing aid in one of the steps of transforming crude palm oil into RBD, in the bleaching step. For each crude palm oil shipment, one part was bleached with a neutral bleaching earth – Minclear S161 – and another with a thermal activated bleaching earth – Tonsil Supreme 178 FF –, keeping the remaining steps of the process unaltered. The discussion of the results of this work initially consisted of two topics: evaluation of oil quality between stages and earths and evaluation of the evolution of RBD oil quality over time. Two more topics were added later as a complement to the work: evaluation of oil quality between different sources and contact time effect of bleaching earths. In order to assess the oil quality in its crude, bleached and deodorized state, several quality parameters and physical properties were analysed in the laboratory, such as: bleaching deterioration index, colour, carotenes, oxidation (peroxide content, p-anisidine content and total oxidation), acidity, water content, soaps, solid fat content, melting point, composition of chemical elements, glycerides and fatty acids. The analyses developed for this work were carried out at the company Rogério Leal e Filhos, S.A. Theoretically, it would be expected that the quality of refined oil with the use of thermal activated bleaching earth would be superior when compared to the quality of refined oil with neutral bleaching earth. The first undergoes a transformation process aimed at increasing the absorption and adsorption efficiency of certain components. However, through the results obtained it was possible to conclude that there are no significant differences in the final quality of RBD palm oil that justify the use of thermal activated bleaching earth. As such, the company can reduce costs in the bleaching stage, and hence in oil refining, by using Minclear S161 bleaching earth.

Date of Award	3 Dec 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rui M. S. C. Morais (Supervisor)