Palm Kernel Oil
Palm Kernel Oil
LATIN NAME: Elaeis guineensis
FAMILY: Palmaceae
ETHYMOLOGY:Guineensis is the Latinized form of Guinea, in tropical West Africa.
The Plant and its Environment
A solidly built, tall (15-30 metres, 50- 100 feet) palm, which grows wild in Nigeria, is native to West Africa, and is now grown also in other areas near the equator, (ie between 10 degrees north and 10 degrees south) for example in the East Indies and in Brazil.
The wild palm does not produce oil until approximately 15 years old, unlike the cultivated variety which yields fruit at 4 years, and is smallish when young so that climbing it is not necessary until the tree is about 12 years old. The fruit grows at the top among the fronds in bunches of about 15-18 Kg containing 700-900 palm fruits. The thin yellow to reddish skin covers the pulpy pericarp which yields palm oil; this is chiefly used for soap making, although an edible oil is now produced in modern plantation mills.
The Oil
Palm kernel oil is obtained from the kernels, taken from the cracked nuts and usually exported to and processed in Europe (this first happened in 1850):the palm kernel oil is used mainly as an edible oil, but is also used in soaps. The kernel yields an oil greatly different from that extracted from the fleshy pericarp. The ripe fruits also are expressed to yield palm oil; both oils are solid in temperate climates (Bruneton 1995). Palm oil contribute about 20% of the world oil production.
Principal constituents - Palm kernel oil
FATTY ACID | % |
C8:0 | 2.4-6.2 |
C!0: | 2.6-5 |
C12:0 | 41-55 |
C14:0 | 14-18 |
C16:0 | 6.5-10 |
C18:1 | 12.19 |
C14:0 | 0.5-2 |
C16:0 | 41-47 |
C18:0 | 5.5-6 |
C18:1 | 36-44 |
C18:2 | 6.5-12 |
Therapeutic Properties and Uses
Pal kernel oil resembles coconut oil in its constituents, properties and application. Palm oil is used with the seeds of Physostigma venenosum (Fabaceae) to kill lice (Duke 1985).
Reference:Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage: Len Price with Ian Smith & Shirley Price
Articles-Most Read
- Home
- Contact Us
- Coconut Oil-2
- Absorption Ratings for Carrier Oils
- Cold Pressing Method
- What are Essential Fatty Acids
- Cherry Kernel Oil
- Fixed Oils and Skin Penetration
- Hempseed Oil
- Almond Oil
- Cocoa butter
- Camelina Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Antibacterial Effects Of Carrier Oil
- Lime Blossom Oil (macerated)
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Carrot Oil, Wild Carrot Oil (macerated)
- Nutrients
- Kukui Nut Oil
- Jojoba Wax
- Passion Flower OIl (Macerated)
- Hydrocotyle Oil (macerated)
- Pumkin Seed Oil - Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Rapeseed Oil - Carrier Oil
Who's On Line
We have 224 guests and 3 members online
Articles-Latest
- Are there any side effects of taking Epazote oil?
- Like eating peanut oil? Get serving size guidelines, health risks, and more Story by Kiran Dhaliwal, Master's Degree N
- Is canola oil a superfood? Find out what the experts say, get serving sizes, and health benefits
- Squalene Oil-What Are the Benefits
- Milk Thistle - Seed Oil - 7 Science-Based Benefits
- Sea Buckthorn? Can Sea Buckthorn Skin Creams Make a Difference?
- Pomegranate Seed Oil - 8 Incredible Benefits & Uses
- Flaxseed Oil — Plus How to Use It
- The Amazing Benefits Of Persimmon Seed Oil
- Wheatgerm Oil - Triticum vulgare, T. durum, T. aestivum-2
- Wheatgerm Oil - Triticum vulgare, T. durum, T. aestivum
- Walnut Oil - Juglans regia - 2
- Walnut Oil - Juglans regia
- Tamanu Oil - Calophyllum inophyllum
- Sisymbrium OIl - Sisymbrium irio
- Sunflower Oil - 2
- Sunflower Oil
- St john's Wort Oil (macerated) - 2
- St John's Wort Oil (macerated)
- Soya Oil