Determination of specific gravity and peroxide values of palm oil samples from gas flaring and non-gas flaring locations in Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the specific gravity and peroxide values of palm oil samples from gas-flaring and non-gas-flaring locations in Bayelsa State. Six palm oil samples (two each) were purposively selected from three locations (two gas flaring locations and one non-gas flaring location (control samples). The gravimetric and titration methods were employed to analyse the specific gravity and peroxide values respectively. Mean, standard deviations, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed for statistical analysis. The results showed that the palm oil samples from gas flaring location A had the highest mean specific gravity (0.92 ± 0.02), followed by that of the non-gas flaring location (0.91 ± 0.002) and that of gas flaring location B (0.90 ± 0.011), however, the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The mean peroxide values of palm oil samples from gas flaring locations B (74.30± 9.90mg peroxide/kg) and A (64.86±2.63mg peroxide/kg) were higher than that of non-gas flaring location (6.34± 0.78mg peroxide/kg) and the difference was significant (p<0.05). All the mean specific gravity values were within the Standard Organization of Nigeria acceptable range of 0.90 - 0.92 while the mean peroxide values of samples from non-gas flaring locations were lower than the maximum limits of 10mg peroxide/kg and those from gas flaring locations were higher than the maximum limit. Gas flaring is therefore an important factor that affects the peroxide values of palm oil which implies a high level of oxidation of the oil to form free radicals that are detrimental to human health. Consumers of palm oil should avoid purchasing palm oil from gas-flaring locations and gas flaring should be eliminated.