Pilot Scale Study for the Production of Components of Palm Oil which has Economic and/or Nutritional Values

(Officer In-charge: Dr. Ng Mei Han)

The minor components (carotenes, vitamin E, sterols and coenzyme Q) found in palm oil have been known for long to be beneficial to health have high economic values. The individual components of carotenes, vitamin E sterols and coenzyme Q often direct benefits and they are often use in medical research such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, fine chemicals as well as in medical research.

In view of the benefits of these individual minor components with high economic values, studies are conducted is isolate, characterize and produce them from the palm oil.

Objectives

• To scale up the separation and recovery process carried out under project EP 036/2002 to pilot scale for production of high purity individual palm components

• To carry out statical, nutritional and biochemical studies on the individual components produced

• To carry out economic evaluation based on the pilot scale study