Palm Oil Quality Assessment Using UV/Vis Spectrophotometry

This technical report details the quality assessment of palm oil and other edible oils using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, specifically focusing on the determination of the Deterioration of Bleachability Index (DOBI) and carotene content according to ISO 17932:2011. The document outlines the importance of rapid and precise quality evaluation in the palm oil industry, which is crucial for monitoring raw material quality indicators throughout the value chain. It describes the methodology used for analyzing crude, bleached, and refined palm oil samples, including sample preparation and instrumentation settings for the SPECORD 50 PLUS and ScanDrop² spectrophotometers. The report presents the results of the absorption spectra analysis, highlighting the differences in carotene content across the different processing stages. Additionally, it provides calculated DOBI values and discusses the implications of these findings for quality assessment in palm oil production. The report emphasizes the need for reliable analytical methods to ensure compliance with industry standards.