The study focused on the development of alternative protocol for isolating oil from pili (Canarium ovatum) pulp. It looked into essential aspects of pili pulp oil isolation by investigating existing protocol being employed by pili processors such as the traditional method, DOST recommended methods, and enzymatic extraction. Determining an alternative oil isolation protocol was conducted employing description matrix analysis based on the features of each of the existing protocol.
The proposed Ramirez Alternative Protocol RPOIM (Ramirez Pili Oil Isolation Method) consists of three major processes such as extraction and fractionation, oil isolation, and oil recovery. Fermentation of pulp for 1-2 days after mechanized mixing and after extraction is a distinct feature of the newly developed method. It was pilot tested using pili pulp samples from Bicol pili varieties obtained from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office V. Results confirmed the presence of oil in pili pulp as indicated by the data obtained on the percent oil yield of the samples tested such as 35.5% for Goa variety, 11.3% for Lanuza, 3.31% for Penafrancia, 9.76% for Magnaye and 25.2% for Laysa . It likewise revealed the potential of the RPOIM as alternative protocol to be used in pili pulp oil isolation.