SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF THE HETEROGENEOUS BASIC CATALYST DAPTS-MCM-41 IN THE INTERESTERIFICATION REACTION OF PALM OIL AND PALM KERNEL OIL BLENDS

Abstract In recent years, the replacement of homogeneous catalysts by heterogeneous catalysts has been investigated as a sustainable alternative technology to obtain different products. In this context, this study investigated the activity of the heterogeneous catalyst DAPTS-MCM-41, obtained from the reaction between the MCM-41 molecular sieve and an organic base 3-ethylenediamine (trimethoxy) propyl silane (DAPTS) in the interesterification reaction of palm oil and palm kernel oil blends. The catalyst was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and textural analysis (ASAP). The interesterified blends were evaluated by fatty acid profiles (FAME) and solid fat content (SFC). The significant changes observed in the solid fat contents of the blends before and after interesterification led to changes in physical properties due the random distribution of acyl groups on glycerol positions. No undesirable reactions such as degradation and trans isomer formation occurred since the fatty acid composition of the blends remained constant.