Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies of Beta Carotene Extraction from Palm Oil by Solvent Extraction

This study evaluated the kinetics and thermodynamics of the extraction of beta-carotene from palm oil using acetone and ethanol. Six kinetics models which include; first order, second order, pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intra-particle diffusion model and power law model were used for the study. Pseudo-second order was found to fit the experimental data better than the rest of the models with correlation coefficient (R2) of above 0.99. The thermodynamics study of the process was done at the temperature of 35°C, 40°C, 45°C and 50°C. From the result of the parameters, it was discovered that the process was endothermic, non-spontaneous and randomized (disorderly).