Penerimaan Minyak Sawit Mentah (MSMn) Sebagai Minyak Makan dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Konsentrasi α-Tokoferol Eritrosit pada Responden Program Sawit

Abstract

Palm oil is one of the natural sources of vitamin A and E. Palm oil contains carotenoid compounds, tocopherol and tocotrienol. Tocopherol has vitamin E and antioxidant activity that protects erythrocytes membrane from free radicals attack and prevents cell hemolysis. SawitA is an applied program to develop products based on crude palm oil (CPO) which is still containing functional compounds. This research is a part of SawitA program that focuses more to the analysis of product acceptance, consumer behaviour, food choice and bioavailability of α-tocopherol in erythrocyte of a sub population. Product acceptance analysis was conducted through home use test method using 78 respondents in Neglasari and Sukadamai Village, Dramaga, Bogor. During 2 months period, this program provided two products for respondents which are “SawitA CPO” that given at the first month and “SawitA RPOWF”at the second month. Both products were given in bottles containing 140 ml per family per month. The distribution was accompanied by socialization of the benefit and utilization of the products. The results of respondents’ characteristic analysis indicated the major respondents were female, mostly housewive, and high school graduates. Most of respondents age ranged from 22 to 45 years old. The average income per capita of the respondents is Rp. 177.147,44 per month. The results showed that product was accepted 83.3-100 % by respondents with “like” category toward taste, odor, color, and over all attributes after two weeks until two months consumption. The product most used for sauting. However, all respondents preferred “SawitA RPOWF” to “SawitA CPO” because it has better taste, more neutral flavor and brighter color. α- Tocopherol level in erythrocytes measured in three respondents increase from 129.39 – 684.90 μg/dl to 469.57 – 2764.33 μg/dl after intervention. The increasing level of α-tocopherol is estimated as the influence of vitamin E in CPO.