Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

Abstract

Determination of the Effect of Storage Time and Condition on the Properties of Shea Butter

Saba AM, Tsado DG and Okafor JO

In effort of raising the market opportunities and values of shea butter, this work seeks to investigate the effect of storage time and condition of storage on the properties of shea butter. This involves the extraction of butter from shea nut, storing at room temperatures and temperature of refrigerator. The shea butter stored were characterized for the iodine value, peroxide value, saponification value and free fatty acid value. The storage was done for the period of eight months and the characterization done monthly. The effect of temperature on the shea butter in respect of iodine value is that the value increases from 4.31 mg/kg to 6.16 mg/kg when stored at room temperatures, while it reduces from 4.3 mg/kg to 3.41 mg/kg when stored in refrigerator. The peroxide value of the shea butter increases at both storage conditions: from 8.80 mg/kg to 10.81 meq/kg for room temperatures, while from 8.80 mg/kg to 9.02 mg/kg for storage in the refrigerator. The saponification value for storage in room temperatures increases from 185.00 mg/kg to 185.96 mg/kg, while for the storage in refrigerator decreases from 185.00 mg/kg to 184.00 mg/kg. The FFA value increases from 3.10 to 4.32 under room temperatures, while it reduces from 3.10 to 3.06 under refrigerator. The result therefore indicate that shea butter can both be stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator but when compared to their storage effect, refrigerated shea butter will last longer.