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Refining produces edible oils and fats with characteristics that consumers desire such as bland flavour and odour, clear appearance, light colour, stability to oxidation, suitability for frying and functionality. During refining, impurities such as moisture, insoluble solids, gums, free fatty acid (FFA), waxes, metals compounds, colour, odour and taste are removed. However, refining should preserve … Read more

In their native form, most edible oils have limited application in food products. They are often modified, chemically and/or physically, to alter their textural properties and enhance their functionality in food applications. Interesterification (IE) is a powerful tool for modification of the textural properties of oils and fats, and is currently the perfect alternative to … Read more

In their native form, most edible oils have limited application in food products. They are often modified, chemically and/or physically, to alter their textural properties and enhance their functionality in food applications. Interesterification (IE) is a powerful tool for modification of the textural properties of oils and fats, and is currently the perfect alternative to … Read more

The crystallisation behaviour and posthardening problems of palm oil are complicated and of major concern to the industry. For example, in the production of palm oil-based margarine, a few weeks after manufacturing, the crystals will grow in size and tend to give an unacceptable grainy or sandy mouth-feel with poor spreadability upon application. Researcher: Dr Zaliha … Read more

The Malaysian Oil Palm Genome Programme (MyOPGP) was initiated by MPOB in 2004 to selectively sequence the hypomethylated regions of the genome (Low et al., 2014), and was subsequently expanded to the whole genome, facilitated by advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics. These efforts led to the publication of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) genome … Read more

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has developed a hand-held motorised harvesting tool called Cantas, for fresh fruit bunches (FFB) harvesting (Figure 1). The invention was aimed at increasing harvesting productivity and reduces workers. The handheld motorised cutter is equipped with a chisel or sickle as the cutting tool attached to a telescopic pole. It is … Read more

Rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) (Figure 1) is a major pest of the oil palm, causing 25% of crop losses two years after infestation (Norman et al., 1997). The Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV) (Figure 2) is a biological control agent of the rhinoceros beetle (Huger, 1966). The OrNV was discovered in Malaysia and introduced into … Read more

Detergents and household cleaning products contain surfactant as the main ingredient that plays a vital role in the overall cleaning process. Natural feedstock, such as oleochemical-based alcohols and methyl ester, offer possibilities as surfactants. Methyl ester sulphonates (MES) (Figure 1) is an oleochemical-based anionic surfactant derived from palm oil through sulphonation process. It has good … Read more

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a good analytical tool to evaluate the performance and environmental impact of all stages of a product’s life cycle. In 2014, the exports of methyl ester from Malaysia increased by 10% or 57 041 t to 571 675 t compared to 514 634 t recorded in 2013 (MPOB, 2015). Methyl … Read more

Water is one of the most important natural resources. In many regions, human well-being and ecosystem health are being seriously affected by changes in the global water cycle, caused largely by human activities. Although freshwater is a local resource, water scarcity is the leading threat of the global water crisis. To tackle this major environmental … Read more