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Palm fruit chemistry and nutrition
Kalyana Sundram1, Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, Yew-Ai Tan
1Malaysian Palm Oil Board, P.O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. kalyana@mpob.gov.my
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 25, 2003
Summary
Palm oil processing yields valuable antioxidants. Innovations recover water-soluble compounds from milling waste, offering new food and nutraceutical opportunities. These ingredients provide health benefits and support dietary fat recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Food Science
- Nutraceutical Science
Background:
- Palm oil from Elaeis guineensis is rich in palmitic-oleic acids, vitamin E (tocopherols, tocotrienols), carotenoids, and phytosterols.
- Palm oil milling waste is a source of concentrated water-soluble antioxidants, including phenolic acids and flavonoids.
- Palm oil's fatty acid profile aligns with dietary recommendations for zero trans fats in solid fats like margarine and frying oils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the challenges and opportunities presented by palm oil and its derived antioxidants for the food and nutraceutical industries.
- To highlight the potential of palm oil fractions and novel antioxidant complexes in developing functional foods and cosmetic ingredients.
- To investigate the health benefits associated with palm oil's components, particularly vitamin E and water-soluble antioxidants.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of water-soluble antioxidants recovered from palm oil milling waste.
- Analysis of palm oil's fatty acid composition and its suitability for various fat products.
- Review of research on the nutritional and health properties of palm oil components, including vitamin E and phenolic-flavonoid complexes.
Main Results:
- Palm oil's fatty acid profile is advantageous for creating trans-fat-free solid fats.
- Palm vitamin E, rich in tocotrienols, exhibits antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer, and anti-atherosclerosis effects.
- Water-soluble antioxidants from milling waste show potent antioxidant activity and potential benefits against skin, breast, and other cancers, with applications in nutraceuticals and cosmetics.
Conclusions:
- Palm oil and its by-products offer diverse ingredients with significant health benefits and industrial applications.
- Tailored fat products can be developed using palm oil fractions to meet current dietary guidelines.
- Further research into packaging these palm ingredients into functional foods could enhance nutrition and health outcomes.