Crude palm oil, not to be confused with red palm oil, refined palm oil, or palm kernel oil, plays a central role in food production globally and in other industries.
Crude palm oil has become a ubiquitous ingredient for many food products, cosmetic industries, and energy.
While this oil is crude, it can be refined into other palm products as we are going to see in this article.
However, crude palm oil is not without its controversy and myths. From nutritional composition to environmental brouhaha.
In this post, we will discuss, maybe a new angle in the study of crude palm oil including its characteristics, production process – local and modern, nutritional value, and more.
Table of Contents
- So, what is Crude Palm Oil (CPO)?
- How is Palm Crude Extracted from Palm Oil Fruits?
- Composition and Nutritional Value of the Crude Palm Oil
- Uses of Crude Palm Oil
- Conclusion
So, what is Crude Palm Oil (CPO)?
Crude palm oil as the name goes is an unrefined extract from palm oil fruits, gotten from the palm oil tree.
It is obtained by boiling and crushing the fruits to force the thick, fatty oil. It is deep-orange in color with all its natural properties intact.
In the eastern part of Nigeria, fresh crude palm extract is instantly used for some local delicacies.
It is important to stress that crude palm oil is not red palm oil – the very bright palm oil gotten when the crude palm oil is treated further.
The crude palm can be refined into red palm oil and refined palm oil through local and modern processes respectively.
We are going to explain briefly how crude palm oil is extracted, there will be a dedicated article on the topic and the link will be included.
Related: How Red Palm Oil is Produced
How is Palm Crude Extracted from Palm Oil Fruits?
The palm crude oil can be extracted either locally with simple tools or with modern techniques.
Both use mechanical pressing to force the pulp from the fruit after boiling and sterilizing.
The local or traditional extraction of palm crude oil which I have done since I am a human being involves harvesting, stripping, picking, boiling, pounding/milling, threshing, decantation, and storage.
This process is a tedious one and requires manpower as every process requires vigorous physical activity.
The modern extraction method of crude palm has to do with the same process but with different tools and can be carried out on a large scale.
Modern crude palm oil extraction uses machines to make the process faster and more efficient.
First, the harvested palm fruits are steamed at high pressure to separate them from the bunch.
Next, the fruits are pressed or mashed to extract the oil. The oil is then cleaned to remove any impurities and further refined using machines like centrifuges.
This method produces more oil and ensures better quality for industrial purposes.
Composition and Nutritional Value of the Crude Palm Oil
Crude palm oil (CPO) mainly consists of triacylglycerols (TAGs), which make up about 90-95% of the oil.
Fatty Acids
TAGs are the basic units of fats and oils, formed by glycerol attached to fatty acids.
The fatty acid makeup of CPO is unique because it has a near-equal balance of saturated and unsaturated fats.
Palmitic acid (a saturated fat) is the most common, making up around 44-45% of the oil, followed by oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat) at 39-41%, and linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fat) at about 10%.
Vitamins: Minor Nutrients in Crude Palm Oil
Aside from its fatty acids, CPO contains smaller yet important nutrients like carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols, and phospholipids.
- Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, give CPO its reddish-orange color and help produce vitamin A.
- Both tocopherols and tocotrienols, part of the vitamin E group, act as powerful antioxidants that protect the body’s cells from damage.
Free Fatty Acids
CPO also contains small amounts of free fatty acids (FFAs), about 3-5%, along with traces of moisture, impurities, and unsaponifiable matter.
These can affect the oil’s stability and shelf life.
Nutritionally, CPO provides energy and essential nutrients like vitamins A and E.
However, its high level of saturated fats has raised concerns about potential health risks if consumed in large amounts.
Uses of Crude Palm Oil
Crude palm oil has a stretched range of uses across different industries, thanks to its unique nutritional profile and properties.
Let’s take a closer look:
- Cooking and Food Preparation: Crude palm oil is widely used in cooking, especially in traditional delicacies. I have already mentioned at the beginning is a revered ingredient in local delicacies.
- Animal Feed: Crude palm oil is sometimes included in animal feed, especially for poultry and livestock. It provides energy and essential fatty acids that help improve growth and health.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Crude palm oil is used as an ingredient in personal care products like soaps, lotions, shampoos, and creams. Its natural oils and fats help moisturize the skin and provide a smooth texture. Additionally, it contains vitamin E and carotenoids, which are beneficial for skin health.
- Industrial Applications: Crude palm is used in some industrial processes such as the production of biodiesel. The fatty acids in the oil can be converted into biodiesel, offering a renewable energy source for transportation and machinery.
- Pharmaceuticals: While less common, crude palm oil is sometimes used in the pharmaceutical industry as a base for medicines or supplements, particularly for vitamin A and vitamin E supplements. Its antioxidant properties can help in the formulation of various topical and oral medications.
- Soap Production: CPO is used in soap-making because of its high lathering and moisturizing properties. The saturated fats contribute to hardening the soap, while the oil’s natural content of vitamin E enhances the soap’s skin benefits.
- Candles: Crude palm oil is sometimes used in the production of candles, particularly in countries where palm oil production is abundant.
- Biofuels: Crude palm oil can be converted into biofuel for energy production, contributing to renewable energy sources. When processed, it can be used in the creation of biodiesel, helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Conclusion
Crude palm oil plays a central role in both food and industrial applications.
With a rich composition of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, it is a valuable ingredient in cooking, cosmetics, animal feed, and even biofuel production.
While it offers numerous benefits, such as energy and skin health, its high saturated fat content raises health concerns when consumed excessively.
Despite these controversies, CPO continues to be an essential component in various industries, highlighting its importance globally.
References:
