Method of producing high-value carotene-containing palm oil from palm-tree waste products

摘要

Palm oil of high carotene content is extracted from the kernel-free residue obtained from the usual extraction methods of the palm fruit, which kernel-free oil-cake residue is known as "palm fibres," by extraction with a solvent for both the oil and carotene. Hydrocarbons, such as petroleum spirit, and chlorinated solvents, such as trichlorethylene, are specified. The "palm fibres" are preferably preliminarily dried under conditions not detrimental to the carotene content thereof and also crushed to provide the maximum degree of fineness. The solvent is distilled from the extract, with or without steam, to give a carotene enriched palm oil.