Crude palm oil consists of 1% phytonutrients namely the carotenes, vitamin E; tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), squalene and sterols (Goh et al., 1985). These phytonutrients have gained considerable importance as they exhibit properties that allow them to have a promising future in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals as well as cosmetics industries. The individual carotenes, tocols and sterols in their more refined forms can also be utilized as fine chemicals or standard reference chemicals.

Main Researcher: Dr Choo Yuen May