Title: Refining Raw Shea Butter to Industrial Grade using Biogenic-Based Heterogenous Catalyst developed from Waste African Giant Snail Shells
Authors: Oriola, K.O, Yusuf, R. O. , and Alade, A.O.
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 53-63
Publication Date: 2025/01/28
Abstract:
Shea butter is an agricultural raw material with wide industrial and domestic applications. It is produced generally in the local areas and the shea butter obtained is of low quality, thus limiting its market value, market price and industrial applications. The study aimed refining raw shea butter with biogenic-based heterogenous catalyst developed from African giant snail shells. Raw shea butter samples obtained from Tede town, were pre-treated by heating and filtering through a fine filter cloth. Then subjected to refining process involving mixing speed (700 - 1400 rpm), snail shell dosage (0.5 - 1.0 g) and time (30 - 60 min) which were optimised under the Factorial Methodology of Design Expert Software (12.0.1). The pH, ash content, specific gravity, saponification, acid, free fatty acid, peroxide, iodine and refractive index values of the refined samples were characterised and compared with the raw and industrial grade standard. Optimum condition for the best refinement of the local shea butter was 1400 rpm, snail shell dosage of 1.00g and agitation time of 60 min. . The pH, Specific gravity, Ash content value, Acid value, Saponification value, Free fatty acid (FFA), Refractive index, Peroxide value and Iodine value of refined local shea butter were in the range of 5.00- 6.72, 0.82- 1.01, 0.033-0.458 %, 4.64-14.79 mgKOH/g, 116.16- 187.40 mKOH/g, 2.32-7.39 mgKOH/g, 1.4600-1.4621, 10.79-16.05 meq/kg and 20.19-38.23 g/100 g, respectively. The Coefficient of Determination (R2) values of the models for pH, specific gravity, ash content, acid, saponification, free fatty acid, refractive index, peroxide, and Iodine values were 0.9993, 0.9682, 1.0000, 0.9987, 0.9999, 0.9987, 0.8628, 0.9994 and 0.9996, respectively. The study suggested a novel approach to the refining of locally produced shea butter to industrial-grade shea butter for industrial applications with renewable catalysts.