Fractionation: Fractionation is an optional step that can be used to further refine the palm oil and produce specific fractions with different properties and applications. Packaging and Distribution: Once the palm oil has been refined and fractionated (if applicable), it is packaged and distributed to customers worldwide.
What is a fraction of palm oil used for?
The various fraction of palm oil allows it to be used in different types of food products such as margarine, frying oil, and cocoa butter substitute. In fractionation, proper control of the fractionation conditions is important to produce the fractions with desirable stearin and olein quality.
How is refined palm oil produced?
To produce refined palm oil (RPO), the objectionable impurities in the CPO are removed to obtain the required levels using two main methods: chemical or alkali refining and physical refining methods. Either of these is followed by fractionation as a final purification process to separate the oil into stearin and olein components.
Is palm oil a fractionated oil?
Palm oil is by far the most important fractionated oil in the world ( Kellens et al., 2007 ); crude, semi- and fully refined palm oil can be fractionated in multi-stage, giving access to several products for specific applications [margarines, shortenings, frying fats, cooking oils, salad oils, cocoa butter equivalents (CBE)].
