The Relationship Between Electro-Optics Gradient and Fatty Acids Composition in a New Investigation on Palm Oil Quality

A palm cooking oil quality investigation using electro-optics method has been conducted. New and used palm oil have been tested and compared to obtain the cause of degradation and its relation with polarization. Oil quality indicators were measured using both natural polarization and induced polarization (electro-optics). GCMS measurements were used to obtain the composition of fatty acids in triglycerides molecules. Results show that the change of polarization increases linearly against the strength of external electric field. Electro-optics gradient can be used as a new alternative electro-optics parameter to determine relative oil quality. A low value electrooptics gradient indicates that a sample has relatively good oil quality compared to other samples. This also confirms findings from our previous research. GCMS data also show that the change in polarization due to natural optical activity and also from electro-optics effects indicate a correlation between polarization and fatty acids in the main components of triglycerides.