Investigating the role of adsorbent type and ratio in mitigating 3-MCPD and GE formation during the inhibition of palm oil chemical interesterification via earth treatment

This study examined the potential to mitigate 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) during the inhibition phase of chemical interesterification in refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm olein oil. Two types of bleaching earth, natural and acid-activated, were used at concentrations ranging from 3% to 6%, and their impact on ester formation was evaluated. Chemical interesterification and adsorption treatments significantly improved oil quality and reduced ester levels (p < 0.05). Specifically, using 6% bleaching earth led to a 98.5% reduction in 3-MCPDE and a 98.3% reduction in GE. The type of bleaching earth did not significantly affect the reduction of these contaminants, while the amount of bleaching earth used played a crucial role in the mitigation.