Penggunaan Kaedah Kolorimetri Pembentukan Kompleks Kuprum-Sabun dalam Penentuan Kandungan Asid Lemak Bebas bagi Minyak Kelapa Sawit

The free fatty acids content is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of palm oils. The method commonly used for determination of free fatty acids in palm oils is titration method with natrium hydroxide solution. However, this method is time consuming and difficult to conduct. In this study, a simple and rapid colorimetric method was developed to determine the free fatty acids content in palm oils. This method is based on the formation of copper-soap complexes after the free fatty acids were react with cuprum acetate solution. Three palm oil samples were determined their free fatty acids content through colorimetric and titration method. For colorimetric method, the free fatty acids content of these palm oil samples is 1.93%, 0.77% and 0.16% w/w. With using titration method, the content is 2.09%, 0.73% and 0.16% w/w. The results showed the colorimetrie method is suitable for the determination of free fatty acids content in palm oils with more easier and rapid compared to the titration method.