ABSTRACT This research was carried out to
study the effect of super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel addition on the virgin
coconut oil extraction (VCO) via natural fermentation. Super absorbent polymer
gel was produced using microwave irradiation method with the presence of sodium
hidroxide (NaOH) and potasium sulfate (KPS) as the initiator. Meanwhile,
N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) was used as the cross-linking agent. Samples
produced were characterized and analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric
Analysis (TGA). FTIR analysis indicated the presence of amide functional group
with strong signal at peaks of 1562 cm-1 , 1658 cm-1 dan 3185 cm-1 . TGA showed
that samples were highly thermally stable. SEM micrographs proved that there
were pores on the suface of the samples with 1 - 2 micron in diameter which is
highly approriate for absorption. The application of the polymer gel was found
to expedite the oil separation from water and increase the recpvery of oil.
Keywords: super absorbent polymer;
microwave irradiation; acrylamide; virgin coconut oil; polymer gel
