EFFECT OF PACKAGING MATERIALS ON STORAGE STABILITY OF CRUDE PALM OIL

Lacquered metal cans, green glass bottles, amber glass bottles, clear glass bottles and clear plastic bottles filled with freshly produced Nigerian crude palm oil were stored in direct sunlight (40±1°C) and in the dark (27±1°C). Assessment of the stability of the oils towards hydrolytic and oxidative deterioration was made periodically by measuring the free fatty acid, peroxide and anisidine values over a period of 98 days. The study showed that crude palm oil packaged in plastic bottles and clear glass bottles recorded higher total oxidation values than oils packaged in either lacquered metal cans or amber and green glass bottles. Lacquered metal cans gave the greatest protection against oxidation. Oxidation proceeded faster in cases where the packaging materials were stored in direct sunlight. © 1990 AOCS Press.