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Keyword : physical, chemical properties
Yes, there are great differences in their physical and chemical properties. Oils and fats are made up mostly of triglycerides with some non-glyceridic materials in small or trace quantities. Difference in chemical composition reflect themselves in differences in physical properties as well. The differences between the two oil are as follows :
Palm Oil (PO) |
| Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) | |
| 1. | Chemical properties PO consists mainly of palmitic acid C16:0 (43.7%), stearic acid C18:0 (4.4%), oleic acid C18:1 (39.9%) and linoleic acid C18:2 (10.3%) | 1. | Chemical Properties PKO closely resembles coconut oil in its fatty acid (FA) composition. It has a higher content of shorter chain FA, lauric acid C12:0 (48%) and myristic acid C14:0 (16%) approx. |
| Minor components | Minor components | ||
Carotenoids: 500-700 ppm Tocopherols/ tocotrienols: 600-1000 ppm | Carotenoids: very low levels Tocopherols/ tocotrienols: Tocopherols level similar to PO but only traces of tocotrienols | ||
Cholesterol Average: 18 ppm Palm oil has very low levels of cholesterol as similar to other vegetable oils. The value is even lower in RBD PO | Cholesterol Average: 17 ppm | ||
| 2. | Physical properties Palm oil can be separated by physical processes into 2 fractions, i.e. solid (stearin) and liquid (olein) | 2. | Physical properties In temperate climates, PKO is a sharp melting fat very suitable for confectionery and similar uses. PK stearin has physical properties very similar to cocoa butter and makes the best Cocoa Butter Substitute (CBS) |