PRODUCTION OF FURFURAL FROM DATE PALM (PHOENIX-DACTYLIFERA L)

The hydrolysis of date palm flesh and seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was carried out in an autoclave using different concentrations of sulphuric acid as a catalyst for the production of furfural. The yield of furfural is reported as a function of different acid concentrations and the solid residue remaining after the hydrolysis process. The aliquot was steam distilled to separate furfural using toluene as an organic solvent. The extracted furfural was characterised by UV/visible and NMR spectroscopy. The results revealed that the flesh was found to contain much more higher furfural than the seeds in all the cultivars studied.