6.4.3 Ash and Minerals
Palm and palm kernel are reported to contain ash content in the range of 1.1–1.9%
and 1.5–1.9%, respectively (Bora et al. 2003; Akpanabiatu et al. 2001). However,
Sreedhara and Kurup (1998) reported slightly higher ash content in palm kernel
(2.1%) (on dry basis). Kok et al. (2011) studied the nutrient composition in kernel of
tenera and clonal materials of oil palm and reported 1.93–2.64% ash content (on dry
basis). In general, palm fruits are rich in K, Ca and Mg, whereas palm kernels have
been reported to be rich in K, Ca, Mg, Mn and P (Table 6.4). The concentration of
different minerals present in palm and palm kernel meal is presented in Table 6.4. It
is worthy to note that palm kernels have substantially higher content of all of the
minerals as compared to their respective palm fruit. Akpanabiatu et al. (2001)
evaluated the proximate composition of Nigerian palm kernel from the dura and
tenera varieties and reported higher mineral values in later variety. However, lead
(Pb) was absent in both of the varieties.
6.4.4 Minor Components and Phytonutrients
The minor constituents which make up approximately 1% of total palm oil include
carotenoids, tocopherols, squalene, polyphenols, coenzyme Q, sterols and phospholipids. Crude palm oil is one of the richest known sources of bioactive carotenoids
(500–1000 ppm), of which α- and β-carotene account for ~35% and 56%, respectively. Palm oil also contains appreciable amounts of vitamin E (150–1500 ppm)—
both the tocopherols and tocotrienols—and is one of the richest natural sources of
the latter. The contents of several minor components such as sterols, vitamin E,
carotenoids, phospholipids, etc. in palm and palm kernel oil are presented in
Table 6.5.
Table 6.4 Mineral content (mg/100 g dry matter) of palm and palm kernel meal (defatted)
Element (mg/100 g dry matter)
Palm meal
Palm kernel meal
Calcium
203.48
107.0–390.0
Magnesium
85.27
280.0–554.0
Potassium
326.40
570.0–660.0
Sodium
21.94
0.7–120.0
Total phosphorus
30.00
350.0–470.0
Iron
3.19
13.0–41.0
Copper
1.30
2.0–2.7
Manganese
0.14
26.0–61.0
Zinc
0.55
2.7–4.3
Sources: Abdollahi et al. (2015), Akpanabiatu et al. (2001), Li et al. (2012)
6 Palm/Palm Kernel (Elaeis guineensis)
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Palm and palm kernel are reported to contain ash content in the range of 1.1–1.9%
and 1.5–1.9%, respectively (Bora et al. 2003; Akpanabiatu et al. 2001). However,
Sreedhara and Kurup (1998) reported slightly higher ash content in palm kernel
(2.1%) (on dry basis). Kok et al. (2011) studied the nutrient composition in kernel of
tenera and clonal materials of oil palm and reported 1.93–2.64% ash content (on dry
basis). In general, palm fruits are rich in K, Ca and Mg, whereas palm kernels have
been reported to be rich in K, Ca, Mg, Mn and P (Table 6.4). The concentration of
different minerals present in palm and palm kernel meal is presented in Table 6.4. It
is worthy to note that palm kernels have substantially higher content of all of the
minerals as compared to their respective palm fruit. Akpanabiatu et al. (2001)
evaluated the proximate composition of Nigerian palm kernel from the dura and
tenera varieties and reported higher mineral values in later variety. However, lead
(Pb) was absent in both of the varieties.
6.4.4 Minor Components and Phytonutrients
The minor constituents which make up approximately 1% of total palm oil include
carotenoids, tocopherols, squalene, polyphenols, coenzyme Q, sterols and phospholipids. Crude palm oil is one of the richest known sources of bioactive carotenoids
(500–1000 ppm), of which α- and β-carotene account for ~35% and 56%, respectively. Palm oil also contains appreciable amounts of vitamin E (150–1500 ppm)—
both the tocopherols and tocotrienols—and is one of the richest natural sources of
the latter. The contents of several minor components such as sterols, vitamin E,
carotenoids, phospholipids, etc. in palm and palm kernel oil are presented in
Table 6.5.
Table 6.4 Mineral content (mg/100 g dry matter) of palm and palm kernel meal (defatted)
Element (mg/100 g dry matter)
Palm meal
Palm kernel meal
Calcium
203.48
107.0–390.0
Magnesium
85.27
280.0–554.0
Potassium
326.40
570.0–660.0
Sodium
21.94
0.7–120.0
Total phosphorus
30.00
350.0–470.0
Iron
3.19
13.0–41.0
Copper
1.30
2.0–2.7
Manganese
0.14
26.0–61.0
Zinc
0.55
2.7–4.3
Sources: Abdollahi et al. (2015), Akpanabiatu et al. (2001), Li et al. (2012)
6 Palm/Palm Kernel (Elaeis guineensis)
151