The recovered coconut methyl ester layer contains traces of the 144
catalyst NaOH and methanol. For removing the alkali, the CME 145
layer was washed gently with hot water. The process was repeated 146
for 6–7 times, till it became neutral. The neutral CME was distilled 147
under vacuumfor removing the traces ofmethanol and water pres- 148
ent in the ester.