International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:13 No:04
Production Methyl Laurate from Virgin Coconut
Oil via Transesterification and Distillation Methods
Syamsuddina*, Bambang Setiajib, Wega Trisunaryantib and Harno Dwi Pranowob
a
Postgraduate Student of Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University,
Sekip Utara, Kotak Pos 21 Bls Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281
b
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Sekip Utara, Kotak Pos
21 Bls Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281
* Corresponding author, phone : +6281245079977 email: syamsuddin_ssi@yahoo.com
Abstract The research have been done production methyl
laurate from virgin coconut oil via transesterification and
distillation methods. Determination of optimum conditions
through the application of influence methanolysis stirrer
agitation and the reaction time of the mass fraction of fatty
acid methyl esters are formed. Agitation stirrer and the
reaction time effect on fatty acid methyl ester methanolysis
products with optimum conditions found on the stirrer
agitation 500 rpm and reaction time 50 minutes. In these
conditions the mass fraction of fatty acid methyl esters reached
100%. Methyl ester which was obtained in every treatment was
separated, washed and filtered, which was then characterized
by GC, and then methyl ester was analyzed GC and GC-MS
separated by distillation method to obtain methyl laurate.
The results of the fatty acid methyl ester fractionation produce
6 fractions, 3 fractions (fractions I, II and VI) containing
methyl laurate lower than original VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil),
3 fractions (fractions III, IV and V fraction) containing methyl
laurate above VCO (virgin coconut oil) origin (in up 70%).
Fractionation back combined fractions III to V yield fractions
containing 93% methyl laurate. If distilled up to 99% yield of
methyl laurate.
Index Term-- fatty acid methyl ester, methyl laurate, virgin
coconut oil, methanolysis
I. INTRODUCTION
Transesterification (called alcoholysis) is the exchange
between the alcohol with an ester to form another ester in a
process similar to hydrolysis, except for the use of alcohol
to displace the water. This process has been widely used to
reduce the viscosity of triglycerides. Transesterification
reaction shown by the following general equation:
Fig. 1. The general equation for the transesterification reaction
The reaction between oils (triglycerides) and
alcohol is called transesterification [1]. Alcohol is reacted
with the ester to produce new esters, resulting in breakdown
of triglycerides compound to hold inter-ester alkyl group
migration. In the process tranesterification there are several
factors that influence include 1) temperature, 2) reaction
time; 3) catalyst, 4) stirring, and 5) ratio of reactants.
Several studies have been conducted in the
transesterification process include: The result [2] state that
in order to achieve the maximum conversion of the methyl
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ester then there are some things to consider include the type
of catalyst (alkaline, acid or enzyme), molar ratio of
alcohol/oil, temperature and purity of the reactants. The
results showed that the conversion of methyl ester reached
60-90%. The using of sodium methoxide catalyst and
ethanol in the transesterification of animal fat methoxide
significant influence on the conversion of methyl ester and
ethyl ester produced [3]. Conversion of methyl ester, namely
87.7%, 86.7%, and 86.3%, whereas the conversion of ethyl
ester is 78.4%, 82.6%, and 82.7%. Results of the study [4]
reported that the use of catalysts ZnO and SO42-/ZnO2 for
transesterification of palm kernel oil and coconut oil,
produced methyl esters above 90%. While the results of the
study [5] reported that the methyl ester conversion is
achieved at the optimum conditions the ratio of
methanol/ethanol 4: 2, the ratio of alcohol/oil 6: 1, reaction
conditions for 1 hour, and at a temperature of 50oC. The
results showed that the conversion of methyl ester reached
98.10%. Kinetics of catalytic transesterification of palm oil
using sodium hydroxide and sodium methoxide studied by
[6], in which the optimum condition is achieved at a ratio of
oil / methanol 1:10, catalyst concentration 0.125 mol/kg of
oil, and a temperature of 60.5 oC. The results showed that
the conversion of methyl ester reached 99%, and the rate
constant of methyl ester at 0.163 liter mol/min. Study [7]
reported that in order to get the maximum conversion of the
methyl ester then some other factors that influence the type
of catalyst, the ratio of oil/alcohol, temperature, stirring
speed, and free fatty acid content. Optimum conditions
achieved in methanol-oil molar ratio of 10: 1, temperature of
65.5C, reaction time 7 minutes, stirring speed of 150 rpm.
Where conversion of methyl ester produced 85%.
Distillation is a separation technique that builds on
students' differences point or melting point of each
constituent substance of a homogeneous mixture. In the
distillation process, there are two stages, namely the stage
evaporation process and proceed to the stage of
development of the steam back into liquid or solid. On this
basis it is the distillation apparatus using a heating and
cooling equipment.
Distillation process begins by heating, so the
substance which has a lower boiling point will evaporate.
The vapor is moving toward the condenser cooling, the
cooling process occurs as we drain the water into the wall
(the outside condenser), so that the steam generated will be
re-liquefied. This process runs continuously and finally we
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 International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:13 No:04
can separate all the compounds present in the homogeneous
mixture.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
The materials used in this study is virgin coconut oil
from PT. Tropica Nucifera Industry Indonesia. The
following analytical grade chemicals were used:
a. Methanol (Merck, Germany)
b. Sodium hydroxide (Merck, Germany)
c. Hydrochloric acid (Merck, Germany)
d. Sodium sulfate anhydrous (Merck, Germany)
The tools used in this study are as follows: a set of
laboratory glassware, machinery stirrer RW 16 basic brand-
IKAWERE (stirre propeller), a set series of fractionation
distillation apparatus, Gas Chromatography, and Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS QP2010S
Shimadzu).
Methods
Determination conditions of production fatty acid methyl
ester
Determination of fatty acid methyl ester production in
stirred reactors through the application of agitation stirring
(Figure 2), and the reaction time of the mass fraction of fatty
acid methyl esters are formed. Stirrer agitation was applied
between 200-900 rpm to 100 rpm interval of observation,
while the reaction time is applied between 10-60 minutes
with an interval of 10 minutes of observation. The
composition of the reaction is applied is the ratio of
methanol/ VCO/NaOH 1: 2: 0.02 (v / v / w).
Fig. 2. Production fatty acid methyl ester using stirrer agitation (RW 16
basic brand-IKAWERE)
The reaction product methanolysis funnel inserted into the
separator, then separated the lower layer (the layer
containing methanol, glycerol, sodium chloride,
hydrochloric acid and residual water) of the top layer
containing the fatty acid methyl esters. A layer of fatty acid
methyl esters then washed with water three times, followed
by the release of entrained air using anhydrous sodium
sulfate. Then determined the fatty acid methyl esters are
136704-8484- IJBAS-IJENS @ August
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formed using the method of gas chromatography (GC). The
results of GC analysis of the methyl ester content of which
is dominated by medium chain fatty acids are used for
further research.
Separation of methyl lauric from fatty acid methyl ester
Separation of methyl ester of lauric fatty acid products
methanolysis performed using fractionation distillation
method (Figure 3). At this stage fractionation with 6
fractions of each fraction I, II, III, IV, V and VI fraction.
Fraction I through V are accommodated fraction distilled
consecutive 10% of the volume of distilled (each 10 ml),
whereas fraction VI is not distilled fraction (volume 50 ml).
Each fraction was analyzed composition of fatty acid methyl
esters using GC. Fractions containing methyl laurate above
50% expressed as methyl laurate rough and made
redistillation to get methyl laurate with a higher degree of
purity.
Fig. 3. Equipment of distillation method
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Conditions Reaction of Production Fatty Acid Methyl
Ester In Stirrer Agitation
To find stirrer agitation that produces methyl esters of fatty
acids with a maximum mass fraction, stirrer agitation
applied between 200 and 900 rpm to 100 rpm agitation hose.
Observations mass fraction of fatty acid methyl esters are
formed (Figure 4) shows the fraction of fatty acid methyl
esters period increases with increasing stirrer agitation. On
the use of stirring 200 rpm agitation produce fatty acid
methyl esters to yield 63.88%, increasing to 100% after
mixing to 500 rpm agitation. Increased agitation above 500
rpm stirrer does not change the yield of fatty acid methyl
ester, which is 100%. Accordingly, a good stirrer agitation
applied in the production of fatty acid methyl ester virgin
coconut oil is 500 rpm. Agitation is expressed as agitation
mixer selected and used in subsequent studies.
The results of this study have shown that the stirrer agitation
effect on the reaction rate, while the rate of reaction is
determined by the effective number of collisions between
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 International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:13 No:04 71
molecules. The higher the stirrer agitation, the higher the between methanol with triacylglycerol, a diacylglycerol and
effective collisions between methanol molecules with the methanol with monoacylglycerol.
molecular triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and
monoacylglycerol. But in this study have not been able to
show where the molecules are more effective if the collision

120
100 100 100 100 100
Rendemen fatty acid methyl ester

100 90.34
78.27
80 63.88
60
(%)

40
20
0
200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
stirrer agitation (rpm)

Fig. 4. The results of measurements of the fraction of the mass of fatty acid methyl esters of various stirrer agitation
reaction time has reached a maximum at 50 minutes,
because at that time the yield of fatty acid methyl esters
Findings stirrer 500 rpm agitation resulting fatty acid methyl reached 100%, the same as the reaction time of 60 minutes.
ester yield 100% takes place at a lower reaction time of 60 Thus the conditions of production of fatty acid methyl ester
minutes. To know the exact time of the reaction in the in the reactor was stirred at 500 rpm stirrer agitation with a
production of fatty acid methyl ester applied treatment effect reaction time of 50 minutes and on the composition of
of reaction time on the mass fraction of fatty acid methyl methanol/VCO/NaOH 1: 2: 0.02 based on v / v /w.
esters are formed. The results obtained (Figure 5) shows the

120
100 100
Rendemen fatty acid methyl ester (%)

97.23
100 84.07
75.4
80 65.09
60
40
20
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
reaction time (minutes)

Fig. 5. The measurement results yield fatty acid methyl esters from different reaction time at 500 rpm stirrer agitation
Findings about 50 minutes of reaction time on the use of expected to lower production costs, increase yield and
stirring 500 rpm agitation has proved preconception that reduce energy costs, such as the cost of electricity is
reaction time may be shorter than the reaction time of 60 required.
minutes. With reduction (reduction) reaction time would be

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 International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:13 No:04 72
Fractionation methyl laurate from fatty acid methyl ester (fraction VI) containing methyl laurate lower than methyl
laurate origin, ie 21.26%. Fraction III, IV and V containing
Production of methyl esters from the methanolysis, then methyl laurate higher (above 70%) compared to methyl
performed using the fractional distillation method, in which lauric origin. Thus fractions III, IV and V can be expressed
the stage is obtained six fractions, then fraction formed (6 as a fraction of methyl laurate rough, which were
fractions) analyzed the composition of fatty acid methyl contaminated with methyl lauric fatty acid methyl esters
esters using gas chromatography methods. The results other about 21%.
obtained (Table 1) shows the fraction I and II containing
methyl laurate lower (39.5 and 43.77%) compared to methyl
lauric origin (52.86%). Similarly, not distilled fraction
Table I
The composition of fatty acid methyl esters for each fraction.
No Type of fatty acid Composition of fatty acid methyl ester (%) fraction
methyl ester
I II III IV V VI
1. Methyl caprylate 37,25 25,14 4,73 2,84 0,44 -

2. Methyl caprate 16,97 23,09 9,63 8,13 6,90 0,76

3. Methyl laurate 39,57 43,77 77,00 79,38 79,01 21,26

4. Methyl myristate 3,81 4,01 4,86 5,17 6,37 36,57

5. Methyl palmitate 1,52 2,56 1,89 2,05 3,92 25,43

6. Methyl stearate 0,20 0,35 0,49 0,6 0,85 4,67

7. Methyl oleate 0,57 0,92 1,19 1,6 2,18 9,71

8. Methyl linoleate 0,12 0,18 0,09 0,24 0,33 1,56

Efforts to improve the content of lauric acid in fraction III to laurate 93-99%, which means the fraction is a product
V, made by redistillation. The results obtained (Table 2, and distilled methyl laurate.
Figure 6) shows that no distilled fraction containing methyl
Table II
The composition of fatty acid methyl ester redistillation
No. Type of fatty acid methyl ester Composition of fatty acid methyl ester (%)
fraction

I II
1. Methyl caprylate 22,56 0

2. Methyl caprate 64,56 0

3. Methyl laurate 11,23 93

4. Methyl myristate 1,45 2,7

5. Methyl palmitate 0,11 2,13

6. Methyl stearate 0 0,62

7. Methyl oleate 0,09 1,43

8. Methyl linoleate 0 0,13

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 International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:13 No:04 73

Fig. 6. Chromatogram from redistillation method of fraction methyl laurate stage III

IV. CONCLUSIONS
Conditions reaction to produce fatty acid methyl esters
are using 500 rpm stirring speed and reaction time 50
minutes. In these conditions the reaction methanolysis
reached the maximum mass fraction of methyl esters of fatty
acids by 100%. Separation of methyl laurate in
methanolysis reaction products (methyl fatty acid esters)
with fractionation-distillation technique yielded three
fractions of 6 fractions containing methyl laurate above
70%, and further fractionation-distillation produces methyl
laurate with 93-99% purity.
[5] Baroutian, S., Aroua, M.K., Raman, A.A., and Sulaiman, A.,
2009, RBD Palm Olein-Based Methyl/Ethyl Esters, Journal of
Oil Palm Research.,21, 659-666.
[6] Foon, C.I., May, C.Y., Ngan M.H., and Hock, C.C., 2004,
Kinetics Study on Transesterification of Palm Oil, Journal of
Oil Palm Research.,16,2, 19-29.
[7] May Choo Yuen., 2004, Transesterification of Palm Oil :
Effect of Reaction Parameters, Journal of Oil Palm
Research.,16,2, 1-11.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This investigation was supported by PT. Tropical
Nuciferra Industry Yogyakarta Indonesia, and by
Laboratory Facilities from the Department of Physical
Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University
of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia.

REFERENCES
[1] Darnoko, D., and M. Cheryan., 2000, Kinetics of Palm Oil
Transesterification in a Batch Reactor, J. Am. Oil Chem.Soc.,
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[2] Demirbas, A., 2005, Biodiesel production from vegetable oils
via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol
transesterification methods Progress in Energy and
Combustion Science., 31, 466487.
[3] Garca, M., Gonzalo A, Snchez J.L., Arauzo, J., and Simoes,
C., 2011, Methanolysis And Ethanolysis Of Animal Fats: A
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[4] Jitputti, J., Kitiyanan, B., Bunyakiat, K., and Rangsunvigit, P.,
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