Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Coco-ethanolamide Production From Coconut oil

Coco ethanolamide obtained from the amidation of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from coconut oil with mono ethanolamine using zirconium (IV) chloride and tert-amyl alcohol was observed in this study. Several effective parameters were evaluated in term of catalyst concentration (5-9% w/wFAME), reaction temperature (80-100 degrees C) and stirring speed (200-400 rpm). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize and to observe the interaction effects of the three variables on the FAME conversion. The capability of the process was measured from the number of FAME converted to coco ethanolamide. In the range of parameters evaluated, the conversion increase by increasing the catalyst concentration up to 9% (w/wFAME), but decreases after the optimum value. At the optimal condition, the model predicts a maximum FAME conversion of 86.27%, mainly due to a strong interaction between catalyst concentration and stirring speed.