Quality Evaluation and Causal Analysis of Crude Palm Oil Based on Critical Quality Parameters: Free Fatty Acids, Moisture, and Impurities
Main Article Content
Abstract
Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is a vital commodity derived from the processing of sterilized oil palm mesocarp extracted from Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), serving as a primary raw material in the edible oil industry. The quality of CPO is critically influenced by parameters such as Free Fatty Acid (FFA), moisture content, and impurities, which directly affect its stability, shelf life, and market value. Despite established quality standards, many CPO production facilities continue to face inconsistencies in these parameters due to variations in harvesting practices, post-harvest handling, and processing conditions, yet few studies have explored plant-specific root causes. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of CPO at XYZ Co. in Barito Kuala Regency by analyzing FFA levels, moisture content, and impurity content through a qualitative-descriptive approach, including field observations, staff interviews, and analysis using bar charts and fishbone diagrams, with data collected from October 2023 to January 2024. Results showed that FFA levels remained within the company's standard of 5%, ranging from 3.9% to 4.06%; moisture content varied between 0.25% and 0.35%, with some values exceeding the limit; while impurity levels surpassed the 0.030% threshold in two observation periods. Fishbone diagram analysis identified human error, substandard raw materials, poor machine maintenance, and non-compliance with standard operating procedures as key contributing factors. The study recommends improvements in supervision, operator training, equipment maintenance, and SOP implementation to enhance and maintain consistent CPO quality
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Akbar, A. R. M., Wibowo, A. D., & Santoso, R. (2023). Investigation on the Optimal Harvesting Time of Oil Palm Fruit. Jurnal Teknik Pertanian Lampung (Journal of Agricultural Engineering), 12(2), 524. https://doi.org/10.23960/jtep-l.v12i2.524-532
Darmawan, M. I., Jaya, J. D., Ilmannafian, A. G., & Safitri, R. (2020). Analisis Kelayakan Usaha Green Polybag Dari Limbah Industri Kelapa Sawit. Mimbar Agribisnis: Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis, 6(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.25157/ma.v6i1.2578
Falgenti, K., & Hambali, E. (2022). The analysis and design of independent smallholders FFB palm oil supply system to support traceability of CPO product derivatives. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1063(1), 012035. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1063/1/012035
Frank, N.-E. G., Albert, M.-M. E., & Astride, E. M. (2013). Some quality parameters of crude palm oil from major markets of Douala, Cameroon. African Journal of Food Science, 7(12), 473–478. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajfs2013.1014
Jaya, J. D., Darmawan, M. I., Lmannafian, A., & Sanjaya, L. (2019). Quality of Green Polybags From Palm Oil Empty Bunches Waste And Fiber As Palm Oil Pre Nursery Media. Jurnal Teknologi Agro-Industri, 6(2), 127–140. https://doi.org/10.34128/jtai.v6i2.102
Jaya, J. D., Majid, A., & Nuryati, N. (2024). Biodegradable pot from oil palm fronds waste: production process, physical properties, and biodegradability study. Agrointek : Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian, 18(3), 753–760. https://doi.org/10.21107/agrointek.v18i3.22635
Jaya, J. D., Nugroho, A., Elma, M., & Sunardi. (2023). Review on biodegradable pot: A new promising approach for sustainable agriculture. AIP Conference Proceedings, 30009. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0118270
Jaya, J. D., Nuryati, & Ramadhani. (2014). Optimasi Produksi Pupuk Kompos Tandan Kosong Kelapa. Jurnal Teknologi Agro-Industri, 1(1), 1–8.
Kristono, S. N., Rahardja, I. B., & Dermawan, A. (2020). The Effect of Oil Thickness in the Cylindrical Settling Tank on the Moisture and Impurities of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Journal of Applied Sciences and …, 3(1), 21–29. https://jurnal.umj.ac.id/index.php/JASAT/article/view/7412
Lukito, P. A., & Sudradjat. (2017). Pengaruh Kerusakan Buah Kelapa Sawit terhadap Kandungan Free Fatty Acid dan Rendemen CPO di Kebun Talisayan 1 Berau. Jurnal Akuntansi, 11(1), 37–44.
Marimin, & Zavira, R. (2020). Production planning of crude palm oil: a study case at X Co. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 472(1), 012047. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/472/1/012047
Morcillo, F., Cros, D., Billotte, N., Ngando-Ebongue, G. F., Domonhédo, H., Pizot, M., Cuéllar, T., Espéout, S., Dhouib, R., Bourgis, F., Claverol, S., Tranbarger, T. J., Nouy, B., & Arondel, V. (2013). Improving palm oil quality through identification and mapping of the lipase gene causing oil deterioration. Nature Communications, 4. https://doi.org/10.1038/NCOMMS3160
Nanda, D., Kansci, G., Rafflegeau, S., Bourlieu, C., Ebongue, G. N., & Genot, C. (2016). Impact of post-harvest storage and freezing of palm fruits on the extraction yield and quality of African crude palm oil extracted in the laboratory. 27, 52. https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2020046
Sampaio, K. A., Ayala, J. V., Van Hoed, V., Monteiro, S., Ceriani, R., Verhé, R., & Meirelles, A. J. A. (2017). Impact of Crude Oil Quality on the Refining Conditions and Composition of Nutraceuticals in Refined Palm Oil. Journal of Food Science, 82(8), 1842–1850. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13805
Sofiyanurriyanti, Putra, G., & Arifin, A. R. (2021). Quality control of palm oil crude (CPO) using six sigma method in PT Karya Tanah Subur West Aceh regency. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1072(1), 012052. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1072/1/012052
Tan, B. A., Nair, A., Zakaria, M. I. S., Low, J. Y. S., Kua, S. F., Koo, K. L., Wong, Y. C., Neoh, B. K., Lim, C. M., & Appleton, D. R. (2023). Free Fatty Acid Formation Points in Palm Oil Processing and the Impact on Oil Quality. Agriculture 2023, Vol. 13, Page 957, 13(5), 957. https://doi.org/10.3390/AGRICULTURE13050957
Usman, M., Julianti, E., & Elisabeth, J. (2025). Improvement of CPO Quality using Physical Purification Material of Shell Powder for Red Cooking Oil Production. Jurnal Biologi Lingkungan, 11(2), 197–208. https://doi.org/10.31289/biolink.v11i2.13913