PALM TREE Elaeis guineensis

Elaeis guineensis is an angiosperm plant belonging to the family (Arecaceae). Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of a palm tree,
The oil palm tree usually bears a single stem and attain about 20 metres of height. Two different types of oil can be processed and produced from the fruits of palm tree, this includes; crude palm oil which comes from processing the fleshy fruit and palm kernel oil which comes from crushing the kernel,
The kernels of the fruit is mechanically pressed to recover palm kernel oil, kernel oil is chemically and physically different from the oil recovered from the fleshy part of the fruit.

PALM Oil
Elaeis guineensis red oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees
Palm oil which is popularly known as red oil or palm fruit oil can be said to be the most widely used vegetable oil in the world, it is produced from the pulp of the fruit of oil palm tree. This tropical fruit is reddish in color when ready for harvest because of a high Beta-Carotene content.

PALM OIL PRODUCTION

For commercial oil production, the outer fleshy portion of the fruit is steamed to destroy the lipolytic enzymes and roughly pressed to release the oil from the steamed fleshy part, the kernel is further separated from the liquid. The resulting palm oil is highly coloured because of the presence of carotenes.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Palm oil is used for preventing vitamin A deficiency, cancer, brain disease, aging; and treating malaria, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cyanide poisoning. Palm oil is used for weight loss and increasing the body’s metabolism.

One-tablespoon serving of palm oil contains:
Calories: 120
Protein: Less than 1 gram
Fat: 14 grams
Carbohydrates: Less than 1 gram
Fiber: Less than 1 gram
Sugar: Less than 1 gram

Industrially, palm oil is used for manufacturing soaps, waxes, cosmetics, lubricants, toothpaste and ink.
Red palm oil is a great source of carotenoids and vitamin E, which act as antioxidants to help prevent cell damage. Getting enough vitamin E also helps your cells communicate and keeps your immune system in good health.