Palm kernel oil: characteristics and properties

Although palm kernel oil is not as well known as other oils, it still finds its wide application in cooking and other areas of life. In more detail about how and from what it is done, where it is used, and what it is necessary to be afraid of, using it, we will talk in this article.

Palm kernel oil - a product derived from the fruits of palm trees, has the appearance of solid fat. It owes its state to the melting point, which is +28 degrees, the pour point is +21 degrees. The color of the oil - cream or white, has a pleasant coconut aroma.

Manufacturing technology allows to obtain large quantities of this oil. It is produced only in tropical countries and is extracted from the oil palm of Eleis Guinea. The source of oil are the seeds of red-orange fruit the size of a plum. Departing from the topic, we can note that 26% of the pulp of the fruit is palm oil, very similar in composition and appearance. Oil is produced by pressing.

Quite often, this fatty product, subjected to heat treatment, changes its properties and even the state of aggregation at room temperature. One such treatment is hydrogenation. Hydrogenated palm kernel oil acquires a solid structure, which facilitates its transportation. Actually, this is the kind of oil that we see. A deodorized and refined product loses some components of its original composition, in particular - non-greasy components. As a result, the oil loses its smell, changes color, but can be stored for a long time. Unfortunately, such a product can be dangerous when used inside, as it contains many carcinogens.

The goods are exported from countries in Africa, where it is produced, to almost all countries of the world., of which the USA accounts for 10% of all supplies, where it is actively used in the culinary and food industry.

The origin, production and processing of both fats are similar. They are extracted from the fruit of one plant, but from different parts of it. Palm oil is produced from the pulp of the palm fruit, and palm kernel - from the seed of the same fruit. As a result, it is not surprising that both of these products have similar properties and chemical composition. Among other similar characteristics - the appearance and smell.

Palm oil has more iodine and acid fats than palm oil. In palm oil there are saturated fats (myristic and lauric acids), and in palm kernel - unsaturated (linoleic and oleic). Palm kernel oil has more pronounced acidic properties.

The composition of this fat is unique - it is very similar to human sebum. Due to this fact, this product is widely used in cosmetology and helps with some skin diseases associated with its dryness.

Contains 20% unsaturated fatty acids and 80% saturated fatty acids. Below is a list of fatty acids contained in palm kernel oil and the percentage of some of them.

1. Paltimic acid - 20%.
2. Triolein - 20%.
3. Trimyristin.
4. Tristearin.
5. Trilaurin.
6. Caprylic acid triglyceride.
7. Caproic triglyceride.

Among the special properties, fat resistance to oxidation can be noted, as a result of which its shelf life is significantly extended.

In palm kernel oil, more volatile acids than in the palm counterpart.

According to GOST, palm kernel oil must undergo a cleaning procedure, called refining. Unrefined, fresh oil has a red-orange hue and is sometimes used as an additive to various dietary supplements, which cannot be said of palm oil. The latter has less pronounced useful properties.

The unprocessed product is rich in vitamin A and vitamin E.A useful substance, which, in fact, is vitamin A, contained in palm kernel fat, is beta-carotene. It prevents the occurrence of cancer. Therefore, it can be argued that only natural raw oil is absorbed by the body.

The beneficial effect of palm kernel fat on the body is as follows:

• vision improves;
• immunity increases, the frequency of occurrence of colds decreases;
• increases bone growth;
• resistance to infections occurs;
• improves the condition of the mucous membranes.

When applied or consumed with palm fats, the emergence of comedones is enhanced, that is, the secretions on the skin are intensified, as a result of which the pores become clogged. This product is quite difficult to digest, so when there are health problems, it is better to make sure of the tolerance of this product separately. Especially toxic are products roasted on palm kernel oil. This is absolutely not recommended, as in such a dish the level of carcinogens is very high. However, cooking palm kernel oil is still practiced in some countries.

Pregnant women are advised to limit their consumption of products with palm kernel oil until the time they stop breastfeeding. The reason is simple - most products use heat-treated oil that is carcinogenic. You also can not use it in the preoperative period due to blood coagulation.

But perhaps the most pronounced effect of consuming raw palm kernel oil is to improve the condition of the skin, especially if it had previously suffered from dryness.

How this product is useful, depends largely on how and where it can be used.

First of all, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between the effect of refined fat and raw product. If the first one is truly carcinogenic, the second one is well absorbed and has a beneficial effect on health, in reasonable doses, of course.

Palm kernel oil is used in cooking in the manufacture of margarine, as well as an ingredient in the soap making process and in cosmetology.

The raw product is used to moisturize nails, hair and skin. They can lubricate the cracks on the heels, dry and painful skin, calluses, natoptysh, skin on the elbows. It is one of the components of glycerol.

Using oil as a hair mask can significantly improve their condition. This fat when added to the composition of the soap makes it softer and moisturizing the skin. Well affect the skin condition of the mixture containing such oil.

The product is also used in heavy industry: steel sheets, oiled, are not oxidized, and are also a stabilizer in some plastic products.

In the food industry, it can be used as a product that extends shelf life. It can be added to creams, ice creams or pastries. There is a practice of adding butter to processed cheese. In all of these products, palm kernel oil replaces non-lauric-type cocoa butter.

Another unusual use is drying, and then adding it as an ingredient to dry milk, dried soups, spices, sauces, and even candy. This product is called dry palm oil and is obtained by drying refined oil with the addition of whey.This product has a high level of fat - almost 80%, so it may not be quite suitable for people with stomach diseases.

Recent studies have shown incredible results - there are no trans fats in the palm kernel butter, which means it can be used as a salad dressing and generally eaten by those who want to lose weight. Children and pregnant women suffering from vitamin A deficiency, regular use in small quantities will help improve their health. Again, it is very important to bear in mind that this applies only to non-heat-treated fat.

At home, you can rub the oil into the skin after a shower. After a while you will notice its softness. Self-made masks from this product have a beneficial effect on aging skin. Enough napkin soaked them, apply to the face for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, the sale of a hydrogenated product is much more common than an unprocessed product. Acquire only natural product, and the benefits of it will surprise you.

For information on how to use palm oil, see the next video.