IMIDAZOLIUM-BASED IONIC LIQUIDS FOR THE SELECTIVE SEPARATION OF TOCOTRIENOL HOMOLOGUES FROM PALM FATTY ACID DISTILLATE VIA LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION

Objective: Tocotrienols have now stepped into the limelight of vitamin E research and have proven to have some exceptional benefits that are not shared by their “older” tocopherol siblings. Unlike tocopherols, tocotrienols are able to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, have specific neuroprotective activities stronger antioxidant effects, antihypertensive and anti-cancer. The purpose of this study was to carry out selective separation of tocotrienols homologues from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) by liquid-liquid extraction, using Ionic liquids (ILs) as extractants in the presence of diluent. Methods: Four kinds of imidazolium-based ILs that used are 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl), 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim]Ac), 1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Hmim]Cl) and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Emim]C]). The extraction is carried out by creating a two-phase system between ILs and PFAD in n-hexane. Quantification of extracted tocotrienols was performed using High-Performance liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a C18 column, mobile phase methanol: water (97.5:2.5), flow rate 1 ml/min and Ultraviolet (UV) detector at 295 nm. Results: The results showed that the concentration (extraction efficiency) of tocotrienols extracted using ILs in order were [Bmim] Ac 1611.09 mg/Kg (75.41%) and [Hmim][Cl] 1603.39 mg/Kg (75.05%), [Bmim]Cl 1523.60 mg/Kg (71.32%) and [Emim]Cl 1174.24 mg/Kg (54.96%). Conclusion: [Bmim]Ac yielded the highest tocotrienols concentration and extraction efficiency.