Dehulling of palm kernel of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) to obtain superior‐grade palm kernel flour and oil

Abstract

A novel method has been developed for the removal of the thin, dark‐brown skin, called testa, from the palm kernel of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) by chemical treatment. Studies carried out for this purpose included physical or mechanical means, dry or wet heat, solvents and other chemicals. Of the procedures tried, treatment with hydrochloric acid (HCl) resulted in complete removal of the testa, producing a pearl‐white palm kernel. All other treatments were found to be ineffective. Based on our laboratory studies, semi‐large‐scale trials were made with 4N HCl for continuous dehulling of palm kernel in an abrasive peeling machine for the preparation of superiorgrade kernel flour and oil.

Effect of hydrochloric acid treatment of palm kernel for dehulling on the nutritional quality of kernel protein

“…Hydrochloric acid treatment of the kernel was carried out as described before (Sreedhara et al 1992). BrieÑy, this consisted of treating the kernel with 4 M HCl at 95¡C for 6È7 min followed by washing the treated kernels free of acid with water and drying at 45¡C.…”

“…With the evolution of a satisfactory method for dehulling palm kernel (Sreedhara et al 1992), it has been possible to obtain pearl white kernel meal and thereby eliminating the undesirable phenolic constituents. In this connection, there appear to be no previous reports on the nutritive value of dehulled palm kernel protein (Oluwafemi 1982).…”

Effect of lipophilization on functional properties of palm kernel flour (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>)

“…Balogun (1982) concentró proteínas de la torta de palmiste, lo cual aumentó su digestibilidad en comparación a la torta original, con un alto potencial de mejoramiento para la alimentación animal. La remoción de la testa ha sido estudiada por Sreedhara et al (1992) que evaluó su valor nutricional para posible uso en alimentación humana.…”

Effect of chemical pretreatment on dehulling parameters of flaxseed (cv. Garima)

“…Studies reported the possibility of chemical pre-treatment for dehulling of dent corn (Blessin et al 1970) and sesame seed (Sastry et al 1969). Sreedhara et al (1992) studied the effect of various chemical treatments (viz. hexane, methanol, chloroform, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid and acetic acid) and found that treatment with 4 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) was effective in complete removal of the testa, producing a pearl-white palm kernel.…”