Abstract:
The impacts of climate change and the need for implementing adaptation and mitigation measures The
objective of this study was to characterize the effects of different extraction methods and varieties on the
extraction yields and quality profile of the resultant coconut oil. Three mature coconut varieties (East
Africa Tall, Tall Yellow and Dwarf) were collected and subjected to different oil extraction techniques
(traditional method, modified traditional method, mechanical expression and soxhlet method). The quality
characteristics of the oil were determined using established standard protocols. Soxhlet extraction
exhibited the highest oil yield ranging from 45.4% to 58.4% followed by mechanical expression (39.250.1%)
and the least was traditional extraction method (6.3 to 10.2%) yield depending on variety. The
Dwarf variety gave significantly lower yields compared to the other varieties. The quality characteristics
were within codex standards except for the high levels of free fatty acid in traditionally (0.42%) and
mechanically (0.33%) extracted oil. Lauric acid was the dominant fatty acid at 47.5%-53.5% followed by
myristic acid at 15.3-18.5% depending on variety and the method of extraction. The % saturated fatty acid
in all varieties was >90%. Unlike in previous studies, arachidic acid was present in all varieties. The study
has demonstrated that extraction methods and variety influence the oil yield and quality characteristics of
coconut oil.