Waris Selesa Palm Oil Mill, Sabah, Malaysia

Palm Product

Production, Transportation, Refining and Distribution of Palm Oil

What is actually involved in bring it to supermarkets and homes? It can be purchased in bottles and is popular in countries that have embraced it as a cooking oil. Some of us might not be aware that it can also be present in many of the products that we enjoy eating. Even many of the popular scented soap brands use Palm Oil as a major ingredient in the manufacturing process. Palm is plentiful and a major source of vegetable and cooking oil. If you happen to live in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, you cannot help but notice that certain parts of the countryside are populated with millions of palm trees. Palm Oil has become a major commodity on the world market and it is a growing industry and can even be used to produce biofuel.

First of all the Palm Trees have to be picked. It is actually the seeds that contain the oil. These seeds are then crushed in a Mill and separated by process systems to produce something called CPO (crude palm oil).

Once the mill is satisfied with the quality of the oil it can be transported to refineries. If it is being transported by land it will most likely be kept in large containers on trucks. These trucks will deliver the product to refineries who will process it even further into purer oil. When palm oil is being delivered to refineries it is either sampled manually or goes through electronic "palm oil quality monitors"

CPO Refineries are always watching the price of the commodity which is also traded on the stock market so timing can be important.

Finally, these refined products are sold to agents and distributors in smaller quantities who then use the palm oil as a base product or a component of goods that will be found on supermarket shelves and used in homes.

Palm competes with other types of oil such as Canola and Sunflower Oil. The distribution of palm oil and palm oil related products will depend mostly on the preferences of end manufacturers of products which also can be influenced by consumer preferences. Palm for cooking is highly respected in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia where it is commonly found in restaurant food. There are many benefits to using Palm Oil in these locations but one of the major benefits is that it will be competitively priced compared to other types of vegetable oil which might be costlier to import.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6147210

RTP Bio-Oil As a Renewable Power Source

Renewable energy is a form of energy which comes from natural resources such as wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, where the source of energy can be reproduced. It also can come from agricultural waste or feedstock which later can be converted into value-added products. A distinct example of renewable energy is bio-oil, a product that derived from oil palm biomass through a chemical process.

Bio-oil produced from RTP™ can economically replace the current transportation fuel, as it can be used to fuel a turbine and specific diesel engines to produce power. It also can replace natural gas, and/or coal in boilers, in either co-fired or sole fuel configuration. As a renewable energy product, it is economical without subsidy at today's fossil fuel prices. It can be referred as an economical RTP bio-oil, which can replace the current fuel based on similar characteristics to fuel machines.

To date, oil palm biomass has been major source in producing biofuel. Lots of research has been conducted in order to convert the biomass into biofuel, notably biodiesel. Not only the oil from the oil palm is used but fronds, empty fruit bunches and palm kernel shells harvested from oil palm plantations were proposed into conversion to renewable energy. By using both the biomass from the plantation as well as the processing residues from palm oil production (fibers, kernel shells, and palm oil mill effluent), bio-energy from palm plantations can have an effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

By using palm biomass to generate renewable energy, fuels and biodegradable products, the balance of energy and greenhouse emissions is improved. Oil palm plantations incinerate biomass to generate power for palm oil mills. In efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists treat palm oil mill effluent to extract biogas which later can be used as energy source for various products.

After purification process, biogas can substitute for natural gas for use at factories. One example on biogas production is anaerobic treatment of palm oil mill effluent results in the production biomass degrading bacteria that produce methane, a form of biogas. It plays an important role in methane production which leads to the production of biogas as renewable fuel.

Conversion of waste into wealth has been garnering attention since it is economical and helps to solve environmental problems. Agricultural waste for example oil palm biomass has been used to create another source of energy, that is safer, cost-effective and efficient in terms of the performance. It also can reduce the cost of production since it is a continuous process.

Premium Renewable Energy (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., also known as PRE Malaysia focuses on the production of bio-oil from oil palm biomass as a source of green renewable energy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5420299

Oil Palm Male Flower

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Can BioEnrich resolve oil palm trees from producing male flower problem?

Today, there is a growing trend of oil palm tree producing male flower. This phenomenon is becoming more common and problematic. It caused a significant drop of yield and decreased farmers' income because male flower does not produce any fruit bunch. Over the past 40 years, this problem is not prevalent. Why this phenomenon is getting common? Is there any solution to counter this problem?

An oil palm tree produces more male flower for a simple reason. It does not get enough nutrients as needed. Tree is a living object, and it reacts according to the problems encountered. Since the tree cannot get sufficient nutrient from its current rooting system, soil condition or overall environment factor to produce fruit bunch, it will accordingly "give up" and starts producing male flower.

Male flower phenomenon happens in the situation stipulated as below:

i) Acidic and harden soil - While acidic soil can stop root development, harden soil will block root hair from nutrients intake. Furthermore, harden soil cannot keep water. As a result, trees are not getting adequate water and nutrients.

ii) Hilly land - Generally soil erosion is extensive in slopes and terrain compared to undulating and flat land. All fertilizer applied will easily flushed away by rain water if no measures are taken to prevent or control soil erosion at steeply sloping land. This caused the soil "unfertilized". Besides, slope land usually cannot retain water. The most important thing for an oil palm tree to grow healthy is the quality of soil and water where they are put in. If the tree does not get enough water for weeks or months, it will produce male flower.

iii) Good oil palm trees have big tree trunks and can generate higher yield. Unfortunately, when soil has already been depleted of its natural nutrients and micro-organisms, the tree will produce male flower. The problem arises not because of the species, but the soil condition. You must always set up a very good soil condition so that this "big eater" species can consume enough nutrients and produce more fruit bunch.

iv) Replanting land. Coconut and oil palm belongs to the same family and they require similar nutrients for growth. If the same crop or a similar type belonging to the same family is grown in the same land for a long period, it will suffer from the accumulated pests and diseases from the previous crop(s) and may not grow well. This will result in soil problems. When a tree lack of few essential trace elements, the tree growth will be affected and thus male flower is produced. This explained why all virgin land has no serious male flower issues.

Male flower is not a disease. It just a symptom reflected by the trees. When the quality of soil condition and water is improved, this phenomenon will subsequently diminish. The next generation is basic instinct of all living things in the world, a living will not simply sacrifice it ability for next generation provided the mother life is not in harm. This is just the rule of nature.

Conclusion: BioEnrich able to enhanced soil fertility and restoring soil ph naturally, thus is able to resolve oil palm from producing male flower.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4821741

Review - The Palm Oil Miracle

The Palm Oil Miracle, Dr. Bruce Fife, 2007, ISBN 9780941599658

This book is all about palm oil, a seemingly "miracle" vegetable oil that has been used for thousands of years, and is currently being used around the world. But it is generally unknown here in America.

The reason for America's unfamiliarity with palm oil is that, for the last 30 years, Americans have been subjected to a huge amount of corporate propaganda (what else is new?). The culprit is the domestic vegetable oil industry. They have convinced the average citizen that tropical oils, which are high in saturated fat, are a leading cause of high cholesterol and heart disease. Supposedly, poly- and monounsaturated fats are the way to go. If that's true, why are the rates of heart disease much higher in America than in the rest of the world?

Many medical studies have shown that palm oil can protect against a huge number of common ailments (the book references over 300 studies). For instance, it can protect against cancer, heart disease, it improves blood sugar control, it supports healthy liver and lung function, it helps protect against mental deterioration, like Alzheimer's Disease, and it helps strengthen bones and teeth. The book goes into detail about why saturated fat is better than unsaturated fat, and why palm oil is so healthy. Believe it or not, fat is an essential nutrient; the human body needs a certain amount of it every day. Those who are on a low-fat diet are doing more harm than good to themselves.

Palm oil is used in cooking, baking and deep frying, and can be used in place of margarine or vegetable oil. It can be used as a dietary supplement, and is non-toxic even in large amounts. It is even a natural anti-aging and anti-wrinkle moisturizing skin cream. The book also includes recipes that use the oil, to cook and see for yourself.

Here is a fascinating book that is full of useful information for anyone. If the medical profession can only suggest a long and expensive course of treatment for whatever ails you, consider reading this book. What have you got to lose?

Paul Lappen is a freelance book reviewer whose website, [http://www.deadtreesreview.com], has over 800 reviews on all subjects, with an emphasis on small press books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5395025

Golden Oil from Green Agriculture, Malaysian Palm Oil

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Traded Parameter for Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil Product

All the palm oil products mentioned above are traded according to PORAM ‘s specifications (Table 5)

All the palm kernel oil products mentioned above are traded according to MEOMA‘s specifications (Table 10).

Palm Kernel Stearin : General Description

Palm kernel stearin is the high premium product from the fractionation of palm kernel oil. The sharp solid fat content (SFC) profile indicates its suitability for use in confectionery fats. The products produced in Malaysia are consistent in quality and properties. They can be utilized directly or after further improvement by hydrogenation to an even firmer product. Palm kernel stearin, as with other palm kernel products, forms eutectic mixtures with pure cocoa butter, and thus can be mixed with the latter in confectionery products in small amounts. The characteristics of palm kernel stearin are shown in Table 9.

Palm Kernel Olein : General Description

Palm kernel olein is the liquid fraction of palm kernel oil obtained when the oil is fractionated. The chemical characteristics are given in Table 8. The solid fat profile shows that the olein melts by about 25°C, compared to palm kernel oil which melts at 28°C–30°C. The oil can be hydrogenated, giving a sharper melting profile, enabling its use in coating fats. The oil is also very useful for margarine fats when interesterified with palm stearin.

Palm Kernel Oil : General Description

Palm kernel oil is obtained from the kernel of the oil palm fruit. Its composition and properties differ significantly from palm oil. Palm kernel oil is similar to coconut oil in terms of composition, and is produced by mechanical extraction of the kernels which are pre-dried in palm oil mills through a partial vacuum process. The quality of the oil is excellent, with free fatty acids of the crude oil generally below 2%. It is light yellow in colour and is refined physically to produce a very light coloured oil used for both edible and inedible purposes. The oil is also semi-solid at ambient temperatures. It can be further fractionated to yield a high value fraction - such as palm kernel stearin with good melting properties. The sharp melting profile also indicates that the oil is highly suitable for confectionery applications. Due to its rapid crystallization behaviour, it is often used in enrobing or dipping products. The composition of the oil is shown in Tables 6 & 7.

Palm Mid Fraction : General Descriptions

Palm mid fraction (PMF) is a fraction of palm oil which is high in POP triglyceride. It is obtained through re-fractionation, either from the palm olein or palm stearin. The high POP content results in a sharp melting profile and a slip melting point of about 35°C-36°C. This enables the oil to be utilized in confectionery fats.

Palm Stearin : General Description

Palm stearin is the solid fraction from the fractionation of palm oil. It can be used for obtaining palm mid fractions (PMF) and also in blends with other vegetable oils to obtain suitable functional products such as margarine fats, shortenings, vanaspati and others. Palm stearin is a useful natural hard stock for making trans-free fats. Besides edible usage, palm stearin also possesses suitable properties for making soaps and formulating animal feeds. It is also an excellent feed stock for oleochemicals. Specifications are given in Malaysian Standard MS 815:2007 (Table 4)

Palm Olien : General Description

Palm olein is the liquid fraction obtained from fractionation of palm oil. The fractionation process involves a physical process of cooling the oil under controlled conditions to low temperatures, followed by filtration of the crystals through membrane press. The liquid olein and solid stearin are products of fractionation, and they are the major products exported.

Palm olein is fully liquid at ambient temperature in warm climates. It can be blended with various vegetable oils in different proportions to obtain liquid oils which can withstand lower temperatures. For example, blends of palm olein with more than 70% soft oils such as soyabean oil, corn oil or canola oil remain clear at 0°C for at least 5 hr. Oxidative stability of soft oils are also extended and improved by the palm olein. Basically, there are two major grades of palm olein: standard olein and super olein (iodine value greater than 60). The standard olein has an iodine value of about 56-59 and cloud point of 10°C max. The specifications are given in Malaysian Standard MS816:2007(Table 3). Super olein is more suited to cooler climates and has cloud points of about 2°C-5°C.

Properties of Palm Olein (standard grade)

Both normal palm olein and super olein are suitable as cooking oils, especially for deep fat or shallow frying. The high stability of the oil makes it exceptionally suitable for frying purposes. A high content of tocotrienols is generally present in oleins, being partitioned preferentially into this phase during fractionation. Sold fat content shows that the oil is liquid at 20°C-25°C.

Properties of Super Olein

Super olein has a higher iodine value of 60 or above. These oleins have better clarity and lower tendency to turn cloudy compared to normal olein. Solid fat content data shows that the olein is generally clear at 17°C. It is interesting that super oleins with iodine value above 62 have much lower solid fat content. These oleins are also suitable as cooking and frying oils. Blending normal or super olein with unsaturated oils results in mixtures with different compositions and clarity to cater for different market requirements.

Palm Oil : General Description

Palm oil is extracted from the mesocarp of the fruit of an oil palm species called Elaeis guineensis. In Malaysia, the high yielding tenera, which is a cross between dura and pisifera species, is the most commonly cultivated palm tree. The Malaysian palm oil contributes to about 13% of total vegetable oil production in the world in 2011. Basically, there are two main products of the palm oil industry – palm oil and palm kernel oil. Out of these, many products could be derived. Crude palm oil is normally processed by a physical refining process in which the oil is turned into a golden yellow refined oil for further end use applications.

Properties of Palm Oil

Palm oil has a balanced fatty acid composition in which the level of saturated fatty acids is almost equal to that of the unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid (44%-45%) and oleic acid (39%-40%) are the major component acids, with linoleic acid (10%-11%) and only a trace amount of linolenic acid. The low level of linoleic acid and virtual absence of linolenic acid make the oil relatively stable to oxidative deterioration. Several surveys conducted by MPOB have showed that the Malaysian palm oil has a narrow compositional range. The specifications for the palm oil are given in Malaysian Standard MS814:2007 (Table 2). 

Palm oil is unique among vegetable oils because it has a significant amount of saturated acids (10%-15%) at the two-position of its triglycerides. The appreciable amounts of disaturated (POP and PPO) and monosaturated (POO, OPO and PLO) allow it to be easily separated into two products; palm olein and palm stearin. A wide range of fractions with different properties to suit requirements of the food industry is made available through dry fractionation.

History: Palm Oil Activities Photo, Part Three

Oil Palms (Elaeis), Belgian Congo, 1931

Fabrication de L'huile de Palme, 1895 at La France au Dahomey

Scene: Sleeping Place in Angola. Meat Drying in the Sun. Tree: Euphorbias and Palm Oil

From Sketches Capt. H. Need, R.N. 

Shipping Palm Oil in the Barrel on the Niger at High Water, 1911

Ju-Ju Island near Jebba 

History: Palm Oil Activities Photo, Part Two

Climbing Oil Palm Tree to Cut Bunch of Oil Nuts, 1906

 Men with Oil Palm Logs

Interior of Palm Oil Factory, Old Calabar, 1890

History: Palm Oil Activities Photo, Part One

 

 Oil Palm Tree 1906

 

Making Palm Oil ; The National Industry of Southern Nigeria

Native Women Manufacturing Palm Oil, 1906

*wooden trough like a canoe, full of palm oil*

 

Filling Palm Oil Barrels, Southern Nigeria, 1902

Exports of Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

Palm oil is the most traded oil in the world. In 2011, its exports reached almost 39.04 million tonnes of which Malaysia’s share was 46%. To add value to crude palm oil and make it ready for human consumption, Malaysian manufacturers have installed the most extensive and efficient refining and fractionation facilities. This had been most successful during the years of 1974 to 1999, when the exports of processed palm oil grew from 0.9 to 8.9 million tonnes. In 2011, Malaysia’s export of palm oil rose to 17.99 million tonnes, after reaching a high of 16.66 million tonnes in 2010. Similar trend in export of palm kernel oil was seen in the same period, with the volume reaching 1.17 million tonnes in 2011.

Production of Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

Palm oil production in Malaysia has increased over the years, from 4.1 million tonnes in 1985 to 6.1 million tonnes in 1990 and to 16.9 million tonnes in 2010. It reached 18.9 million tonnes in 2011. The production is projected to reach 19.4 million tonnes in 2012. The Malaysian palm oil industry easily meets the local oils and fats demand, and the excess can be exported. Palm kernel oil production in 1999 was 1.3 million tonnes, and reached 4.7 million tonnes in 2011. Prior to 1970, most of the palm kernel produced was exported. Since 1979, they were crushed locally to produce crude palm kernel oil and palm kernel cake.

Malaysia is now the second largest producer of palm oil in the world; after being overtaken by Indonesia in 2006. Since 1985, palm oil has become the second most consumed oil in the world, after soyabean oil. Malaysia’s share of global production in 1999 was 51% but in 2011, it decreased to 38%.

Table 1 shows the productivity of various oilseed crops in terms of their oil content and oil yield. It is evident that the oil palm is the highest yielding oil crop, capable of producing 4.27 t of palm oil and palm kernel oil per hectare per year.