Comparative study and quality characteristics of coconut oil from two different species

This study was carried out to investigate the physiochemical properties of oil extracted from two varieties of coconut (Cocosnucifera). Oil was extracted from tall coconut variety (Sample A) and dwarf coconut species (Sample B) using hot extraction method. The oil samples were evaluated for their physiochemical properties using standard methods. The result obtained showed that the oil had specific gravity of 0.9171kg/m3 for Sample A and 0.9175kg/m3 for Sample B, density of 0.8936g/cm3 for Sample A and 0.8940g/cm2 for sample B, acid value of 13.20mg NaOH/g for Sample A and 16.00mg NaOH/g for Sample B, free fatty acid of 6.60mgNaOH/g for Sample A and 8.00mg NaOH/g for Sample B. iodine value of 48.22mg/g for Sample A 50.76mg/g for Sample B and peroxide value of 30.00meq/100g for sample A and 22.00meq/100g for Sample B. It was concluded that the oil produced from dwarf coconut fruits has acceptable physicochemical properties although the high free fatty acid in the oil may make them prone to rancidity.