Palm kernel
{{Short description|Edible seed of the oil palm fruit}}
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The palm kernel is the edible seed of the oil palm fruit. The fruit yields two distinct oils: palm oil derived from the outer parts of the fruit, and palm kernel oil derived from the kernel.[http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/y4355e/y4355e03.htm Oil Palm] FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin-148, 2002, 60pg, {{ISBN|92-5-104859-2}}
The pulp left after oil is rendered from the kernel is formed into "palm kernel cake", used either as high-protein feed for dairy cattle or burned in boilers to generate electricity for palm oil mills and surrounding villages.
Uses
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Palm kernel cake is most commonly produced by economical screw press, less frequently via more expensive solvent extraction.[http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/pod34-hisham.pdf Malaysian Palm Kernel Cake as Animal Feed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104090749/http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/pod34-hisham.pdf |date=2006-01-04 }} Hishamuddin Mohd Aspar, 2001, Palm Oil Developments 34
Palm kernel cake is a high-fibre, medium-grade protein feed best suited to ruminants.[https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(06)72346-3/abstract Evaluation of Palm Kernel Meal and Corn Distillers Grains in Corn Silage-Based Diets for Lactating Dairy Cows] Carvalho, Cabrita, Dewhurst, Vicente, Lopes, and Fonseca, 2006, Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 89, No. 7[http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Proceedings/manado/chap25.htm Palm Kernel Cake as a supplement for fattening and dairy cattle in Malaysia] FY Chin, 1992, FAO, Manado, Chapter 25 Among other similar fodders, palm kernel cake is ranked a little higher than copra cake and cocoa pod husk,[http://ebookshop.mardi.gov.my/pub_detail.php?id=326&type=S Nutritive value of palm kernel cake and cocoa pod husks for growing cattle] Wong Hee Kum, Wan Zahari Mohamed, 1997, Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Science, Vol. 25, No. 1, {{ISSN|1394-9829}} but lower than fish meal and groundnut cake, especially in its protein value.
Composed of 16% fiber, palm kernel cake also has a high phosphorus-to-calcium ratio and contains such essential elements as magnesium, iron, and zinc.[http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/POD/pod34-tang.pdf Quality and Characteristics of Malaysian Palm Kernel Cakes/Expellers] Tang Thin Sue, 2001, Palm Oil Developments 34 The typical ration formulated for the feeding of dairy cattle consists of palm kernel cake (50%), molasses (5%), grass/hay (42%), limestone (1.5%), mineral premix (1%), and salt (0.5%), with trace element/vitamin premix.[http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/pod40-wan.pdf Use of Palm Kernel Cake and Oil Palm By-Products in Compound Feed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104083530/http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/pod40-wan.pdf |date=2006-01-04 }} M Wan Zahari and A R Alimon, 2004, Palm Oil Developments 40
Palm kernel shells (PKS), a byproduct of palm kernel oil production, can be used for biofuel (for example, in the form of pellets).{{Cite web|last=Eco-Business|title=Can power from palm oil waste replace fossil fuels in coal-loving Asia?|url=https://www.eco-business.com/news/can-power-from-palm-oil-waste-replace-fossil-fuels-in-coal-loving-asia/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Eco-Business|language=en}}