Figure 3.1 GC-MS data for derivatised PFAD
Palmitic acid (C16:0) was found to be the dominant fatty acid in the
PFAD sample with the longest peak (Fig. 4.1) and largest percentage
value of 46.63. It belongs to the saturated class of fatty acids. Next
is the oleic acid (C18:1; n9), under the unsaturated fatty acids and
belonging to the monounsaturated fatty acid subclass was found to be the
fatty acid valued at 32.30%. The values of palmitic acid and oleic acid
in Table 3.2 were found comparable with values from different reported
studies ranged between 35 – 60% for palmitic acid and between 15 –
46% for oleic acid (Chang et al., 2016; Bonnie and Mohtah, 2009; Moh et
al., 1999 and Bostinestiean et al., 2012).
All major fatty acids have been identified by many authors and there are
inherent differences in individual contents of fatty acids when compared
to the bibliographic references. These inconsistencies are ascribed to
the nature of cultivars used, the cultivation or environmental factor,
and process conditions of refinement of feedstock.
Table 3.2 Mass spectroscopy of identified compounds from derivatised
PFAD