Adsorptive Bleaching of Crude Palm Oil Using Activated Plantain (Musa Paradisiacal) Peel Ash

This study examined the bleaching process parameters that contribute greatly to the refining of palm oil using low cost, natural and eco-friendly adsorbent. Activated plantain peel ash was utilized to provide the concept for the adsorptive analysis. The process parameters studied include; temperature, contact time and adsorbent dosage. A constant gram of palm oil was used to form Adsorbent dosage to oil ratio of 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 at contact time of 15min, 30min, 45min and 60min for different temperatures of 140oc, 150oC, 160oC, 170oC and 180oC. The batch method of adsorption was conducted and the extent of adsorption was measured through UV- spectrophotometer. The results showed that the optimum bleaching parameters are at temperature 160oC, contact time of 60min and adsorbent dosage of 1wt%.