Extraction of Palmitic Acid from Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Stalk Residue

Abstract

This work is aimed at selective solvent extraction of palmitic acid from Plantain Stalk Residues (PSR). Plantain stalk obtained from the waste stream of a local market was used in this study. The stalk was grated and the extract obtained during the grating process was oven dried at a temperature of 70^oC. The residue referred to as NT was characterized using Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to ascertain the presence of fatty acids with much preference given to palmitic acid. This residue was dissolved in four solvents (water, ethanol, hexane and acetone) and also oven dried at 70^oC. The dried residues were analyzed for their functional groups and inorganic content using studied using Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR, and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). These characterizations were conducted to determine the suitable solvent for a greater yield of palmitic acid. GCMS result shows that the percentage of palmitic acid expressed as percentage fraction of total fatty acids present in the plantain stalk was 14.4%. FTIR analysis results gave acetone as the most suitable solvent in obtaining a better yield of palmitic acid from PSR. Palmitic acid extracted from plantain stalk residue is suitable for applications in pharmaceuticals, food additives and soap making due to the high composition of Calcium, Silicon and Potassium respectively.