Month: February 2020

The benefits of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in reducing blood cholesterol are well known. Unsurprisingly, the present trend is towards less saturated and higher monounsaturated fatty acids in the fats consumed. Based on Steps I and II of the American Heart Association (AHA) diet, a composition of < 7% saturated, up to 10% polyunsaturated … Read more

Solid fats/shortenings are produced as substitutes for solid animal fats, especially lard. In North America, cottonseed oil was converted to shortening to replace lard in the 1890s. Soyabean oil did not become a major ingredient in shortening until the late 1930s. Now, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil and soyabean oil have been used to produce shortenings in … Read more

A trans-free and low saturated palmbased packet margarine was formulated. The product was consistent, yet soft and spreadable on bread at refrigerator temperature (5°C-10°C). However, as with other soft margarines, it becomes soft and oily after being left at > 30°C for more than 1 hr. Margarines containing < 33% total saturated fatty acids (SAFA) and … Read more

Tans-free palm-based shelf-stable margarine was formulated from palm oil derivatives without hydrogenation. The margarine, processed in a scraped surface heat exchanger (was filled in containers of 10 and 20 kg and could be marketed for baking and shallow frying) (Figure 1). The formulation has a melting point of 36°C – 37°C, and is thus suitable for … Read more

Puff pastry is one of the most remarkable products from the bakeshop. It has the ability to rise to eight times its original thickness when baked to form a flaky structure. The rise is due to the unique and intricate lamination of alternate layers of pastry dough and roll-in fat. Puff pastry dough recipes are usually … Read more

Polyunsaturated oils present problems with regards to flavour and oxidative stability. Partial hydrogenation reduces the problems by removing some of the double bonds which are the sites of oxygen attack. However, hydrogenation is not desirable as it gives rise to formation of trans-fatty acids which are detrimental to health. Blending the unsaturated oils with palm olein … Read more

This invention is a more economical and environment-friendly process for extraction of bioactive components – tocols, sterols, squalene, monoglycerides and diglycerides – from palm oil. Main Research: Puah Chiew Wei 

In refi ning palm oil, bleaching earth is used to remove colour, phospholipids, oxidized products, metals and residual gums from the oil. It also absorbs approximately 0.5% by weight of the oil in the process. Spent bleaching earth (SBE) is usually disposed of in landfi lls, normally, paid for by the refi nery. Due to the … Read more

With better membrane developed from better understanding of the fi ltration mechanisms, membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems become a feasible option for aerobic treatment of wastewater, industrial wastewater and potentially for palm oil mill wastewaters. Owing to their ability to produce excellent treatment effi ciency, MBRs are increasingly used around the world. MBR installations are also increasing … Read more

The palm oil industry generates vast amounts of biomass from its mills and plantations. Although some are used, most are largely wasted, particularly empty fruit bunches (EFB). EFB can be treated and used to make automotive parts. One such application is the production of damping sheets. Damping sheets are used to reduce noise, vibration and harshness … Read more