The versatility of Palm Oil: its use in food, cosmetics, biofuels and more

Author
Joanna Sikorska
24.03.2023
8 min reading
The versatility of Palm Oil: its use in food, cosmetics, biofuels and more
Summary
Table of contents

  • Palm Oil is extracted from the pulp of the oil palm.
  • Palm kernel oil is obtained from the kernel of the oil palm.
  • Both oils are often confused with each other, but their properties differ.
  • Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are mainly used in the food industry.

Palm Oil is one of the most popular Plant-Based Oils used in industry. How versatile is it and what is Palm Kernel Oil? Read our article to find out!

What is Palm Oil?


Palm Oil, as the name implies, is extracted from oil palms. It is a vegetable oil obtained from the pulp of the palm tree. It contains palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Palm Oil is produced by steaming the oil palm fruit. The steamer softens the oil palm fruit, which in turn helps to leach out the natural oil. The fruit is then put under high pressure, creating a water-oil mixture. The oil is then extracted from the water and processed in the refinery.

However, there are two types of Palm Oil that come from the same plant and are called almost identical. Another type is Palm Kernel Oil.

Palm Oil vs. Palm Kernel Oil


Because of their similar names and origins, Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are considered by many to be interchangeable ingredients. However, the similarities between the two products end with their name and origin.

Palm Kernel Oil comes from the kernel of the oil palm tree. To extract the oil, the soft inner seeds inside the fruit are roasted, ground, and processed. Palm Oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the pulp of the palm fruit, as already mentioned.

The natural color of Palm Oil is red because it has a high beta-carotene content. Since Palm Kernel Oil does not contain carotenoids, it is not red, but rather yellowish. They also differ in composition. Over 80 percent of the fats in Palm Kernel Oil are saturated, compared to only 50 percent in Palm Oil. Since the fatty acid content of Palm Kernel Oil is higher, its stability at high temperatures is better. Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are usually compared with Coconut Oil, because they are three of the few highly saturated vegetable fats.

Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil have some things in common, for example they are both used in the food industry. If you want to know more about Food Grade Oils, be sure to read our article.

Palm Oil uses


Palm Oil is a versatile ingredient widely used in the food industry. It improves the flavor of processed foods and has a high melting point, so it can be found in processed foods such as baked goods, confectionery, snacks, and margarine.

In baking, Palm Oil is often used as a substitute for butter or other oils because it has a high melting point and helps products last longer. It is found in ingredients for ready-made pizza and puff pastry doughs. Palm Oil is also used in the production of many types of chocolate and other confectionery. Palm Oil gives chocolate and chocolate spreads a smooth and shiny appearance. It also helps prevent them from melting too quickly at higher temperatures.

Palm Oil is often used in snacks such as French fries and crackers because it gives them a crunchy texture and prevents them from going stale too quickly. It is also used in the production of many types of margarine and other spreads, as it is solid at room temperature and helps to give these products their texture.

In addition to the food industry, Palm Oil is also used in other areas. It is used in the production of cosmetics. Manufacturers of lipsticks use Palm Oil because it holds color well, withstands high temperatures without melting, applies smoothly and has a neutral taste. In shampoos, Palm Oil serves as a conditioning agent to replenish the natural oils in hair that most hair products strip away. Because of its foaming and firming properties, it is also used to make soaps. In addition, Palm Oil is used for the production of biodiesel and biofuel. 

Palm Kernel Oil uses

Palm Kernel Oil uses


Palm Kernel Oil, just like Palm Oil, is mainly found in food products. It is used in the production of many types of chocolate because it has a higher melting point than cocoa butter. Palm Kernel Oil is a source of fat due to its exceptional stability at high cooking temperatures. It has an optimal melting point for confectionery and is an important ingredient in various snacks, candies and ice creams, cakes, cookies and French fries. It also adds a firm consistency to margarine and vegetable butters, making it a popular choice among food manufacturers.

In addition to its culinary uses, palm kernel oil is also widely used in the cosmetics industry for its moisturizing properties. It is often added to creams, lotions and shampoos to increase their effectiveness and improve the hydration of skin and hair.

In addition, Palm Kernel Oil has proven to be an excellent ingredient in animal feed. Its delicious taste and high digestibility make it a popular choice for the basic feed of pigs and cattle, while promoting the overall health of the animals. In addition, Palm Kernel Oil can be used as a fat source in calf milk replacer products and can completely replace other vegetable fats.

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