.

The Physicochemical properties of the extracted oil from Raffia palm (Raphia regalis) were investigated.

Physical properties such as refractive index, specific gravity, viscosity, moisture content, flash point,
smoke point, fire point, pour point and cloud point; and chemical properties such as acid value, free fatty
acid, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, iodine value, ester value and peroxide value were
investigated for both raw Raffia oil and transesterified raffia oil. The various properties were investigated
using ASTM standard methods and calculations. Results obtained for physical properties: refractive
index, specific gravity, viscosity, moisture content, flash point, smoke point, fire point, pour point and
cloud point were 1.437, 0.765, 1.420 mm2/sec, 8.0%, 154ºC, 140ºC, 160ºC, -3ºC and -7ºC respectively for
the raw Raffia oil, and 1.341, 0.840, 1.21 mm2/sec, 1.6%, 70ºC, 66ºC, 72ºC, -5ºC and -12º for the
transesterified raffia oil. Results for the chemical properties: acid value, free fatty acid, saponification
value, ester value obtained in (mgKOH/g), iodine value (mgI /g), peroxide value (mEq/kg) and 2
unsaponifiable matter (%) were determined to be, 18.849, 9.472, 136.043, 117.194, 5.076, 192.000 and
1.814% respectively for the raw Raffia oil; and 31.977, 16.069, 193.545, 161.568, 167.50, 350.800 and
2.481% for the transesterified raffia oil. It was concluded that Raffia oil when processed have great
potentials for use as alternative fuel for energy generation.