Abstract

ARVELAEZ, América; MIERES PITRE, Alberto  and  HERNANDEZ, Carlos Enrique. Experimental design applied to the oil extraction of the corozo’s kernel (Acrocomia aculeata) . Rev. Téc. Ing. Univ. Zulia [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.Especial, pp.122-129. ISSN 0254-0770.

The study centred on the application of an experimental design for the determination of the most suitable conditions of extraction oil of the corozo’s kernel, to infer from the physicochemical properties of the same one the possible uses. There were in use mature fruits gathered in Boquerón, Carlos Arvelo municipality, Carabobo state, of which there were obtained the kernels that surrendered to a process of conditioning and reduction of size. The extraction oil was realized by two procedures, dragging by steam and extraction with n-hexane, with the purpose of selecting the most suitable method and of applying an experimental design 3² studying the effect on the percentage of extraction oil of the time of extraction, size of particle and the interaction of both. The physicochemical characterization it effect following the limits described in the procedure COVENIN for this type of product. The extraction with n-hexane threw major percentages of extracted oil, being the maximum 49.05%, when the size of particle and time of extraction they were 0.65 mm and 5 hours respectively. The oil presented 56.6% of lauric acid, which indicates that it is similar to the oil of coconut and palmiste, being able to be in use in diverse nourishing and industrial applications. 

Keywords : Experimental design; extraction oil; kernel; corozo; Acrocomia.