Geometric method for confirming the fatty acid profile of oil palm-based biodiesel

The geometric method is an innovative approach for determining the origin of vegetable oils, animal fats, and biodiesel from various feedstocks. This analytical method was patented in Malaysia (MY-161097-A) in April 2017, and it can generate distinctive images for each oil or fat by plotting the chain numbers of fatty acids against their specific compositions. In this study, fingerprints of palm oil and biodiesel from palm oil were identified for the first time using the geometric method, drawing on 50 years of fatty acid profile data from different studies. The unique image produced is due to palm oil’s balanced fatty acid composition, with nearly equal levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, palm oil and its derivatives, such as biodiesel, exhibit a narrow compositional range, as confirmed by surveys from 1977 to 1997. This study employs a simple and an advanced method to trace the sources of oils, fats, and biodiesel, enhancing understanding of their fatty acid structures.