Fact Sheets

Malaysian Palm Oil

Fact Sheets
Malaysian Palm Oil

For further information please contact:

(192835-K)

Tel : +6(03) 7806 4097, Fax : +6(03) 7806 2272

Websites : www.mpoc.org.my, www.malaysiapalmoil.org

Malaysian Palm Oil Board

No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi,
43000 Kajang, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
Tel : +6(03) 8925 4400
Fax : +6(03) 8925 9446
Homepage : www.mpob.gov.my

Monograph # 6

Malaysian Palm Oil Council

2nd Floor, Wisma Sawit, Lot 6, SS6, Jalan Perbandaran, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Selangor Darul Ehsam, Malaysia

Fact Sheets

Malaysian Palm Oil

Copyright 2007
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any forms or means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior
written permission of both the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

Reprinted 2008
Publishers
MALAYSIAN PALM OIL COUNCIL (192835-K)
2nd Floor, Wisma Sawit, Lot 6, SS6, Jalan Perbandaran, 47301 Kelana Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia
and
MALAYSIAN PALM OIL BOARD
No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang,
Selangor, Malaysia

Contents
Foreword

02

Part I: The Oil Palm

03

Part II: Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

09

Part III: Techno-Economic Advantages of Palm Oil

25

Part IV: Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil Applications

33

Part V: Palm Oil Nutritional Benefits

37

Part VI: Oil Palm & The Environment

45

Part VII: The Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

57

Related Organisations

59

References

60

Further Readings

63

Acknowledgement

63
1

Part I: The Oil Palm

Source: IJM, Cede

History
Fact 1: Archaeological evidence on palm oil consumption was found in an Egyptian tomb in Abydos.
As no palm oil was ever produced in the country, the evidence implied that the oil had been traded
during the time of the Pharaohs, which is about 5,000 years ago.
Source: Friedel (1897)

Fact 2: Oil palm [Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.] originated from West Africa in a belt from Angola to Senegal.
Source: MPOC (2005a)

Fact 3: Oil palm was introduced to the peninsula of Malaysia, then Malaya, as an ornamental plant by
the British in the 1870s.
Source: MPOC (2005b)

Fact 4: In 1917, Henri Fauconnier planted the palm for its oil at Tennamaran Estate in Batang Berjuntai,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Source: MPOC (2005b)

Oil palms in wild groves in West

Africa
Malaysia

One of the four original palms from

which Fauconnier obtained seedlings
to plant oil palms at Tennamaran Estate
4

The original five steps used to extract palm oil

Step 1: Cooking the bunch
Step 2: Removing fruitlets from the bunch
Step 3: Macerating the fruitlets
Step 4: Pressing out oil from the fruitlets
Step 5: Collecting the oil
Source: MPOB
4

Fact 5: Oil palms economic potential was first realised in the 1960s when the Malaysian Government
embarked on a poverty eradication programme through agricultural diversification by planting this crop
to complement rubber.
The establishment of land schemes by the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) and the Federal Land
Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) has resettled landless farmers on holdings by mainly
growing oil palm. Today, FELDA manages about 853,000 hectares of plantations, providing employment
for 112,635 farmers.1 The land schemes are provided with basic amenities such as piped water, electricity,
communications, roads, schools, healthcare facilities as well as greater employment opportunities in the economic
activities spawned.
1

Source: FELDA (2008)

Currently, the Malaysian oil palm industry as a whole including the downstream sectors employs 860,000 people,
both directly and indirectly.

Example of a Typical Workers House at a FELDAs Oil Palm Estate

Source: MPOC
5

Background
Fact 6: The oil palm first planted in Tennamaran Estate was Dura - the fruit type with a thick shell.
There are two other fruit types - Pisifera with no shell and Tenera with a thinner shell. Obviously, the
thicker the shell, the less would be the oil-bearing mesocarp and the less the oil yield. Ideally, Pisifera
should be planted, but it is largely female sterile and produces very few bunches. In practice, Tenera
is planted as a compromise. At that time, the genetics of shell type was not known, but it was later
discovered that Tenera is just a hybrid between Dura and Pisifera i.e. Dura x Pisifera = Tenera.

Oil Palm (Tenera): Basic Facts

Origin
Average height increment (present palms)
Trunk diameter
No. of fronds produced per year
Average length of frond
Leaf colour
Colour of ripe fruit
Nursery period
st
1 harvesting
Harvesting cycle
No. of bunches produced per palm
Average weight of bunch
No. of fruits per bunch
Shape of bunch
Fruit size (l x b)
Fruit weight
Kernel content
Oil extraction rate
Palm oil yield
Planting density
Economic lifespan
Source: MPOC (1995a)
6

West Africa
~ 60cm/year
~ 60cm
~ 24
3 - 4m
Green
Usually yellowish red (there are also other colours)
12 - 18 months
~ 30 months after field planting
2 - 3 weeks
10 - 15 per year
10 - 20 kg
1000 - 3000
Round or oval
5cm x 2cm
~ 10g
3-8% per fruitlet
20%
~ 4 tonnes/ha/year
136 - 160 palms/ha
20 - 30 years

Fact 10: Oil palm is the most efficient oil-bearing crop in the world.
The table below shows that in comparison with other major oil crops, oil palm produces the highest tonnage of oil
per hectare per year with minimum use of land area.

Oil Palm vs Other Major Oil Crops

Oil Palm 3.63

Average Oil Yield (t/ha/year)

Soyabean 0.40

Oil Crop

Sunflower 0.45

Oil Production
(mil tonnes)

Soyabean
37.49
Sunflower
10.91
Rapeseed
18.71
Oil Palm (mesocarp)
38.31
a
Total
117.83
Note: a only for the seven major oil crops
Source: Oil World (2008)
8

% of Total Oil
Production
31.82
9.26
15.88
32.51

Rapeseed 0.69

Average Oil
Yield
(t/ha/year)
0.40
0.45
0.69
3.63

Harvested Area
(mil ha)

% of Total
Harvested Area

94.62
24.08
27.15
10.55
222.08

42.61
10.84
12.23
4.75

A) OILS & FATS TRADE

Part II: Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

Source: MPOC

Oils & Fats Trade

Fact 11: The roles of palm oil and palm kernel oil in the global oils and fats scenario are prominent.
i) Palm oil and palm kernel oil contributed the highest percentage (28%) of the total global production
of oils and fats in 2007.

World Production of Oils & Fats in 2007 (Million Tonnes)

Butter
4.5%
Sunflower Oil
7.1%
Corn Oil
1.5%

Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

27.7%

Coconut Oil
2.0%
Others
10.0%
Soyabean Oil
24.3%
Lard & Tallow
10.7%
Rapeseed Oil
12.2%

Total Production: 153.83 mil tonnes

Source: Oil World (2008a)

10

ii) Palm oil and palm kernel oil were the most traded oils in the global oils and fats market with a market
share of 56% in 2007.

World Exports of Oils & Fats in 2007 (Million Tonnes)

Rapeseed Oil
3.5%
Soyabean Oil
19.3%

Coconut Oil
3.3%
Others
4.2%

Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

55.8%

Butter
1.3%
Corn Oil
1.2%
Lard & Tallow
4.1%

Sunflower Oil
7.3%

Total Exports: 57.72 mil tonnes

Source: Oil World (2008a)

11

iii) Of the total 154.69 million tonnes of oils and fats consumed in 2007, palm oil and palm kernel
oil constituted the highest percentage (28%) of the total.

World Consumption of Oils & Fats in 2007 (Million Tonnes)

Others
10.0%
Lard & Tallow
10.6%
Sunflower Oil
7.2%

Soyabean Oil
24.2%

Source: Oil World (2008a)

12

Coconut Oil
2.1%
Corn Oil
1.5%

Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

27.5%
Rapeseed Oil
12.4%

Total Consumption: 154.69 mil tonnes

Butter
4.5%

Fact 12: Malaysia is one of the largest producers and exporters of palm oil in the world.
In 2007, Malaysia produced about 15.82 million tonnes of palm oil from a mere 4.30 million hectares of planted
area. The production and export of Malaysian palm oil is expected to increase in the future through improved
planting materials and better plantation management.

A Comparison of Annual Production of Palm Oil between Malaysia and

Other Producers from 2003 - 2007 (Million Tonnes)
16.70

16

15.82

16.05

15.88
14.96

Annual Production of Palm Oil

(mil tonnes)

13.97

14.07

14

13.35

12.38

12
10.60

10
8
6

5.61

5.21

4.70

4.60

4.23

4
2
0

2007

2006
Malaysia

2005
Indonesia

2004

2003
Others

Source: Oil World (2008a)

13

A Comparison of Annual Exports of Palm Oil between Malaysia and Other

Exporters from 2003 - 2007 (Million Tonnes)
16
14.40

14

13.75

Annual Exports of Palm Oil

(mil tonnes)

12.40

13.44

12.58

12.22

11.95

12

10.44

10

9.00

7.37

6
4

2.86

3.49

2.62

2.67

2.32

2
0

2007

2006
Malaysia

Source: Oil World (2008a)

14

2005
Indonesia

2004

2003
Others

Fact 13: Since domestic consumption of vegetable oils is relatively low in the country, Malaysia exports
most of its palm oil and palm kernel oil. In 2007, Malaysia had the biggest market share in the global
vegetable oils and fats trade with P.R of China emerging as the largest importer of its palm oil.

Malaysias Share (%) of the Global Oils and Fats Trade in 2007
Argentina
13.1%

Indonesia
25.0%

USA
5.4%
EU-27
2.7%
Others
27.6%

Malaysia
26.2%

Total Trade: 57.72 mil tonnes

Malaysias Share: 15.14 mil tonnes
Source: Oil World (2008a)

15

Major Export Destinations for Malaysian Palm Oil in 2007

Others
39.7%

Japan
3.8%

EU
15.0%
P.R of China
27.9%
USA
5.8%

Pakistan
7.8%

Total Export of Malaysian Palm Oil: 13.75 mil tonnes

Source: MPOB (2008)

16

Fact 14: The Malaysian palm oil industry being the major player in the global oils and fats trade, has
contributed billions of ringgit in export earnings to the country. In 2007, palm oil was the third largest
contributor to Malaysias external trade after Electrical & Electronic Products and Crude Petroleum &
Its Products.

Export Earnings from Malaysian Palm Oil Industry from 2000 - 2007 (RM billion)
45.2

45
40
31.8

Export Earnings (RM bil)

35

30.4
28.6
26.2

30
25

19.6

20

14.2

14.9

2001

2000

15
10
5
0
2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

Source: MPOB (2008)

17

Malaysias External Trade in 2007 (RM billion)

Exports

Electrical & Electronic Products

44.0%

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

3.8%
Palm Oil & Palm-based Products
7.5%
Timber & Timber-based Products
3.8%
Crude Petroleum & Its Products
8.7%

Total Trade: RM 605.2 bil

Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia (2008)

18

Others
32.2%

Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil Processing Flow Chart

Fact 15: Palm oil processing flow chart

Palm Oil Processing Flow Chart

OIL EXTRACTION AT MILL
Sterilisation in large pressure
vessels/cages
FFBs enter
the plant for
processing
Transportation of FFBs

Extraction in a homogenous oil

mash using screw press
Purification in a continuous
clarification tank

REFINING

CRUDE PALM OIL

Physical (Steam)
Refining

Stripping in rotating drum

Stripper

Degumming and
Pre-Bleaching

Deacidification and
Deodorisation

RBD
Palm Oil

Chemical
Refining

Fatty Acid Distillate

Degumming/
Neutralisation

Bleaching

Soap Stock

Deodorisation

NBD
D
Palm O
Oil

Acid Oil

Note: FFB= Fresh Fruit Bunch

Sources: MPOB (1992)
19

Fact 16: Palm kernel oil processing flow chart

Palm Kernel Oil Processing Flow Chart (Mechanical Extraction)

PALM KERNEL
Cleaning
(C)

(A)

Size Reduction
Flaking
(B)
Steam Conditioning
Screw Pressing

Coarse Screen Filter

Expeller Cake

Filter Press

Storage

Palm Kernel Oil

Storage

Source: MPOB (1992)

20

(A) Direct screw pressing without kernel pre-treatment

(B) Partial kernel pre-treatment followed by screw pressing
(C) Complete pre-treatment followed by screw pressing

Physical Characteristics of Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil

Fact 17: Physical characteristics of Malaysian palm oil

Physical Characteristics of Malaysian Palm Oil

Characteristic

Mean (of 215 samples)

Range

Apparent density @ 50C (*) (g/ml)

0.889

0.888 - 0.889

Refractive Index @ (*) 50C

1.455

1.455 - 1.456

5C

60.5

50.7 - 68.0

10C

49.6

40.0 - 55.2

15C

34.7

27.2 - 39.7

20C

22.5

14.7 - 27.9

25C

13.5

6.5 - 18.5

30C

9.2

4.5 - 14.1

35C

6.6

1.8 - 11.7

40C

4.0

0.0 - 7.5

Solid fat content (+)

45C
Slip melting point [C] (+)

0.7

0.0 - 4.5

34.2

31.1 - 37.6

Source: * Chin, et al (1980)

(+) Tan & Oh (1981)

21

Fact 18: Physical characteristics of palm kernel oil

Physical Characteristics of Palm Kernel Oil

Characteristic

Mean Value

Refractive Index

1.4509

Slip melting point [ C]

o

Colour (Lovibond 5 cell)

Colour (FAC)
Carotene content (from absorption at 446nm)

27.3
5.5R 50Y
7.6

Solid fat content by Wideline NMR (%)

at 5C

72.8

10C

67.6

15C

55.7

20C

40.1

25C

17.1

30C

Source: Siew and Berger (1981)

22

Infrastructure of the Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

Fact 19: The infrastructure for the Malaysian oil palm industry is rapidly developing to keep pace with
the high global demand for palm oil, oleochemicals, and biodiesel.

Distribution of the Malaysian Oil Palm Business and Ownership in 2007

OWNERSHIP OF PLANTED AREA

SABAH
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
SARAWAK
1

Source: MPOB (2008)

23

Status of Malaysian Oil Palm Processing

2006

Sector

2007

No.
Capacity
No.
Capacity
Mills (tonnes FFB/year)
397
86,243,600
406
89,282,800
Refineries (tonnes CPO/year)
51
18,506,400
52
19,192,200
Kernel Crushers (tonnes palm kernel/year)
41
5,239,100
40
5,459,100
Storage Capacity* from Bulking
33
1,160,950
31
1,164,720
Installations (tonnes)
Note: * excluding bulking capacities at Bintulu Edible Oil, Sandakan Edible Oil and Lahad Datu Edible Oil
Source: MPOB (2008)

Status of Oleochemical Plants & Capacity in Malaysia at End 2007 (Tonnes/Year)

State
Johor
Penang
Selangor
Others
Total
Source: MPOB (2008)

24

In Operation

Under Planning

No.

Capacity

No.

7
3
6
2
18

608,900
791,325
817,746
381,000
2,598,971

1
0
0
1
2

Total

Capacity

No.

Capacity

62,000
0
0
60,000
122,000

8
3
6
3
20

670,900
791,325
817,746
441,000
2,720,971

Part III: Techno-Economic

Advantages of Palm Oil

Source: MPOC

25

Fact 20: The oil palm ensures a consistent and renewable supply of vegetable oil to meet the everincreasing demand for oils and fats.
On average, one hectare of oil palm produces 3.63 tonnes of palm oil per annum, with best fields producing up to
7-8 tonnes annually. The long natural economic lifespan of the oil palm tree ensures a consistent supply of palm
oil to meet consumer demand.

Example of High-Yielding Palms

Source: UP Berhad
26

Fact 21: Palm oil is the least expensive vegetable oil to produce.

Comparative Cost of Production of Selected Oils (USD/tonne)

Oil

Cost (USD/tonne)

Country/Region

228
400
648
900

Malaysia
USA
Canada
Europe

Palm
Soyabean
Rapeseed
Rapeseed
Note: USD 1 = RM 3.80 (2004)
Source: MPOB (2005)

Comparative Processing Costs for Palm, Soyabean and Sunflower Oils (RM)
Chemical
Phosphoric Acid @ RM 2000/tonne
Caustic Soda Solid @ RM 1400/tonne
Bleaching Earth @ RM 800/tonne
Nickel Catalyst @ RM 26/kg
TOTAL COST
Savings for RBD Palm Oil
Note: USD 1 = RM 3.80 (2004)
Source: MPOB (2005)

Soyabean Oil/Sunflowerseed Oil

RBD Palm Oil

Quantity (kg)
2
2.5
30

Cost (RM)
4.00
3.50
24.00

Quantity (kg)
10

Cost (RM)
8.00

26.00

57.50

8.00
49.50 per tonne

27

Fact 22: Palm oil is the most versatile oil as it can be used in various food applications without or
with only minimal modification, as well as in non-food products such as oleochemicals, soaps and
biodiesel.
i) Palm oil has many of the required characteristics suitable for food applications. Being semi-solid at room
temperature, it can be fractionated to produce downstream products such as olein, stearin, super olein, and
palm mid fraction, which are used in various food products.

Food Uses of Palm Oil and Its Downstream Products

Product

Palm Oil

Cooking Oil

Frying Fats
Shortening/Dough
Fats
Vegetable Ghee
Margarine
Specialty Fats for

Coatings
Ice cream Fats

Chocolate Fats

Milk Fat Replacers

Butter Oil Substitutes
Confectionery Fats
Non-dairy Creamer
highly suitable
suitable
Note: 1 Iodine Value
Source: MPOC (2005b)
28

Palm
Olein

Double
Fractionated Palm Mid Palm Mid
Palm Oil
Fraction Fraction
(Super Olein)
(Soft)
(Hard)
IV1 > 60

Palm
Stearin
(Soft)
IV > 30

Palm Stearin
(Hard)
IV 20 - 30

* minor application only

Premium
Stearin
(Hard)
IV < 20

ii) In the oleochemical industry, palm oil and palm kernel oil are used to produce various chemical
feedstock, such as fatty acids and fatty esters, which are required in the manufacturing of various non-food
products. In addition, palm oil can also be directly used to produce biofuel. The Malaysian Government
has implemented the National Biofuel Policy mandating the use of B5, a type of biofuel containing a mixture
of 5% RBD palm olein and 95% diesel, for transport. The product has been launched as Envo Diesel.

Non-Food Applications of Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil

PALM OIL & PALM KERNEL OIL

Direct Route

Oleochemical Route

Biodiesel

Fattyy Acids

Soap
p

Fattyy Esters

Expoxidised
p
Palm Oil

Fattyy Alcohols

Polyols
Polyurethanes
Polyacrylates

Fattyy Nitrogen
g Compounds
p

Intermediate
Consumer
Products

Fattyy Alcohols
Glycerine
y

Source: MPOB (2005)

29

Fact 23: Malaysia guarantees the quality of its palm oil to meet customer requirements.
The Malaysian palm oil producers and exporters are keenly aware that the quality of their palm oil is their sine
qua non for future sales. In Malaysia, strict quality control is observed throughout the supply chain, i.e. from
production to processing, refining and shipping. The industry is regulated by various quality and food safety
standards, such as the PORAM Specifications for Processed Palm Oil and Ministry of Health Hazard Analysis &
Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards.

Fact 24: Malaysian palm oil offers a wide range of specifications to meet various requirements.
New technologies allow the Malaysian palm oil industry to diversify its downstream products such as processed
palm oil, high-carotene palm oil (red palm oil), palm kernel cake and oleochemicals to satisfy requirements.
Products which are not on the shelf can be tailor-made for specific uses.

30

Fact 25: Of the major oils and fats, palm oil is the most competitively priced.
Palm oil is competitively priced vis-a-vis other vegetable oils. With its guaranteed consistent supply,
its price competitiveness is likely to continue into the future.

Price Performance of Palm Oil and Other Oils (USD/tonne)

1800

1400
1200
1000
800
600
400

Crude Palm Oil*

Sunflower Oil+

Crude Degummed Soyabean Oil+

Rapeseed Oil0

Jan 08

Jul 07

Jan 07

Jul 06

Jan 06

Jul 05

Jan 05

Jul 04

Jan 04

Jul 03

Jan 03

Jul 02

Jan 02

Jul 01

Jan 01

Jul 00

200

Jan 00

Price (USD/tonne)

1600

Note: * CIF, Rotterdam

+
FOB, Rotterdam
0
FOB, EU
Source: Oil World (2000-2008)
31

Fact 26: The oil palm produces renewable and sustainable raw materials for manufacturing other useful
products.
The oil palm fronds can be fed to cattle and the trunk sawn into timber, or used to make medium-density fibreboard
(MDF) and pulp. The empty fruit bunches (EFBs) can be used to make fibre or to mulch the palms (natural
fertiliser).

Example of Furniture Made from Palm-based MDF

Source: MPOB

32

Part IV: Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil

Applications

33
Source:
MPOC

33

Fact 27: A flow chart on the versatility of palm oil and palm kernel oil in food and non-food
applications

Versatility of Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil in Food and Non-Food Applications

FRESH
FRUIT
BUNCHES

Milling

CRUDE
PALM OIL

Technical Uses
such as soap

Refining

RBD Palm Oil

Fractionation and
Refining

Margarines
Shortenings
Vanaspati
Frying Fats
Ice Cream

Fractionation and
Refining

Stearin
Olein

Hydrogenation
Refining

KERNELS

Crushing

Margarines
Confectionery
Ice Cream
Biscuit Creams

CRUDE PALM
KERNEL OIL

Fatty Acids
Splitting
Glycerol
Source: Pantzaris (1997)
34

Biodiesel

RBD Olein
Palm
Mid-Fraction

Frying, Cooking, Shortenings, Margarines

Blending

Cocoa Butter Equivalent

Splitting

Fatty Acids

Soaps, Food, Emulsifiers

Soap

RBD Stearin

Shortenings
Margarines

Soap
Confectionery Fats
Margarines
H.P.K.O.
H.P.K. Olein

Confectionery
Coffee Whitener
Filled Milk
Coating Fats

Fatty
Alcohol
Amines
Amides

Emulsifiers
Humectants
Explosives

Fact 28: Palm oil is an excellent frying oil. Because of its

lower unsaturation and high antioxidant content, palm oil does
not oxidise or polymerise as readily as other liquid oils in
continuous high temperature use, conferring on it a longer life
for frying. When used as frying oil, palm oil is non-sticky, nonfoaming and offers a longer shelf life for products.

Frying Oils Time to Reach End of Useful Life

Acid Value 2.5
Oxidised Acids 1%
(hours)
(hours)
Palm oil
130
103
Hardened groundnut oil
140
92
Coconut oil
100
125
Groundnut oil
140
63
Soyabean oil
160
55
Hardened fish oil
130
100
Note: Taking the two criteria together, palm oil has the longest shelf life
of 103 hours.
Source: Berger (2005)
Oil

35

Fact 29: Palm oil and palm kernel oil can be fractionated into, inter alia, olein, stearin, and palm
mid fraction (PMF) for different food applications. Interesterification can be used to make even more
products for other uses.

Fractionation of Palm Oil

RBD Palm Oil
IV 50
0 - 55
Stearin
IV 28 - 45

Olein
IV 56 - 60
Super Olein
IV 60 - 66

Palm Mid
Fraction (PMF)
IV 45
5 - 49
Soft PMF
IV 46

Mid Olein
IV 50

Soft Stearin
IV 42 - 50

Hard PMF
IV 26

Super PMF
IV 35

Fractionation of Palm Kernel Oil

Crude Palm Kernel Oil
IV 17
17-18
18
Crude Palm Kernel Olein
IV 23-26
Source: MPOB (1992)
36

Crude Palm Kernel Stearin

IV 6.5-7.5

Hard Stearin
IV 15 - 25

Part V: Palm Oil

Nutritional Benefits

Source: MPOC
37

Fact 30: Unlike other oils, palm oil is a balanced oil as it contains equal amounts of both unsaturated
(mainly oleic) and saturated (mainly palmitic) fatty acids, with the former constituted mostly by the
preferred monounsaturates.

Composition of Fatty Acids in Selected Oils

Oil
Palm
Peanut
Olive
Corn
Soyabean
Safflower
Coconut
Source: MPOC (1991)

Monounsaturates (%)
40
39
75
30
25
13
5

Polyunsaturates (%)
10
42
10
54
60
77
1

Saturates (%)
50
19
15
16
15
10
94

Fact 31: The main saturated fatty acid in palm oil is palmitic acid which is neutral and does not raise
blood cholesterol levels. Other saturated fatty acids, in particular myristic, are known for their cholesterolraising effects.

Fatty Acid Composition of Palm Oil and Its Effects on Blood Cholesterol
Fatty Acid
Lauric (12:0)
Myristic (14:0)
Palmitic (16:0)
Stearic (18:0)
Oleic (18:1)
Linoleic (18:2)
Others (16:1, 18:3)
Total in palm oil
Note: a means cholesterol-reducing
Source: Ong and Goh (2002)
38

Composition (%)
0.2
1.1
44.3
4.6
39.0
10.5
0.3
100.00

Effect on Blood Cholesterol

Negative or neutral
Cholesterol-raising
Neutral
Neutral
Lowersa
Lowersa
Lowersa
Lowersa

Fact 32: As a result of its natural semi-solid state at room temperature, palm oil does not require
hydrogenation in most food uses, thus obviating the problem of trans-fatty acids and uncommon cisfatty acids, which are detrimental to health, in solid fat products.
Source: Sundram, K, et al (2003)

Fact 33: A collaboration between researchers at the MPOB and Brandeis University, USA, has
produced a blend of natural and cholesterol-free fats that readily meets the ideal balance of saturated,
monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (1:1:1 ratio). This fatty acid ratio is recommended by
the American Heart Association (AHA) in its effort to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases
(CVDs).2 Today, this blend of fats is commercially available as the Smart Balance products.
2

Source: Sundram, K, et al (1996)

Smart Balance Range of Products

Source: GFA Brands Inc.

39

Fact 34: Numerous studies comparing the health effects of palm olein and olive oil (both high in oleic
acid) have shown that palm olein and olive oil have similar beneficial cholesterol modulating effects in
protecting humans against CVDs.

A Comparison between Palm Olein and Olive Oil on

Their Effects on Cholesterol Modulation
180
200
160
140
120

mg/dl

mg/dl

150

100

100
80
60

50

40
20

0
TC

LDL-C

Olive Oil
Source: Ng, et al (1992)

HDL-C L/H Ratio

Palm Olein

TC

LDL-C

HDL-C

Olive Oil

L/H Ratio

Palm Olein

Source: Choudhury, et al (1995)

Note: Both studies showed that palm olein and olive oil have comparable effects on total cholesterol (TC),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ratio of low-density/
high-density cholesterol (L/H).
40

Fact 35: Palm oil is one of the 17 edible oils which have been accepted as meeting the FAO/WHO Food
Standard requirements under the CODEX Alimentarius Commission Programme.
Source: CODEX Alimentarius (1983)

Fact 36: Like all vegetable oils, palm oil is cholesterol-free.

Cholesterol Content in Selected Oils and Fats

Oil/Fat
Range (ppm or mg/kg)
Palm (mesocarp)
13 - 19
Palm (kernel)
9 - 40
Sunflower
8 - 44
Soyabean
20 - 35
Rapeseed
25 - 80
Cottonseed
28 - 108
Coconut
5 - 24
Maize
18 - 95
Cocoa Butter*
n.a
Beef Tallow*
800 - 1400
Butter*
2200 - 4100
Lard*
3000 - 4000
Note:* Gunstone, F.D, et al (1986)
Source: Downes, M.J (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985)

Mean (ppm or mg/kg)

18
17
17
28
53
44
14
50
59
1100
3150
3500

Fact 37: A number of recent controlled human studies in Europe, the USA and Asia have confirmed that
there is no significant rise in serum total cholesterol when palm oil, providing most of the dietary fat,
is used as an alternative to other fats in the habitual diet. In these studies, the level of HDL cholesterol,
regarded as beneficial, was unaltered or significantly raised.
Source: Sundram, K, et al (1992)

Fact 38: The content of Lipoprotein (a) in blood plasma, a potent risk factor for coronary heart disease,
was significantly reduced when palm oil provided most of the dietary fat.
Source: Honstra, G, et al (1991)
41

Fact 39: Refined palm oil, as used in foods, is a rich source of tocotrienols and tocopherols having
Vitamin E activity. Refined palm oil still contains a high amount of Vitamin E, up to 500 ppm.

Tocopherols (T) and Tocotrienols (T3) Determined in Vegetable Oils (mg/kg)

Oil

-T

Cocoa butter
11
Coconut*
Corn*
134
Cottonseed
573
Groundnut
169
Mustard
75
Olive
93
Palm
150
Palm*
133
Rape*
70
Rice bran*
249
Safflower
477
Soyabean*
116
Sunflower*
608
Note:* Refined oils
Source: Ong A.S.H (1993)

-T

-T

-T

-T3

-T3

-T3

18
40
5
16
15
34
17

170
412
317
144
494
7
178
47
44
737
11

17
3
39
10
13
31
7
10
275
-

2
20
117
130
167
-

297
204
141
-

80
45
-

Fact 40: Palm tocotrienols have been demonstrated in human and animal studies to reduce the production
of cholesterol in the body. A study at the University of Wisconsin, USA, showed that palm tocotrienols
inhibit the action of enzymes that are responsible for the production of cholesterol in the body.
Source: Qureshi, A, et al (1995)

Fact 41: Palm tocotrienols are also showing much promise in cancer research. A number of studies
have demonstrated that palm tocotrienols can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Source: Nesaretnam, K, et al (2005)
42

Fact 42: Compared to a number of other edible oils, dietary palm oil reduces the number of chemicallyinduced tumours in rats.

Effect of Palm Oil and Other Fats on Cancer Development

80
70

Tumour Incidence (%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

5% Corn oil

20% Palm oil

20% Lard

20% Beef Fat

Note: A 20% palm oil diet was protective and comparable to a low fat (5%) corn oil diet than the 20% lard and 20% beef
fat diets.
Source: Sylvester, P.W, et al (1986)
43

Fact 43: Red palm oil (RPO) is the only commercially-available refined oil that contains substantial
amounts of carotenoids as well as Vitamin E. There is a bouquet of more than 20 carotenes in red palm
oil which explains its deep red colour. RPO contains about 50 milligrams of carotenes in every 100
grams of oil (500 ppm), mostly as beta-carotene (55%) and alpha-carotene (35%).

Carotene Composition of Refined Red Palm Oil and Crude Palm Oil
Carotene
Phytoene
Phytofluene
Cis--carotene
-carotene
-carotene
Cis- -carotene
-carotene
-carotene
-carotene
Neurosporene
-Zeacarotene
-Zeacarotene
Lycopene
Total (ppm)
Source: Ooi, C and Choo, Y.M (1994)

Refined Red Palm Oil (%)

2.0
1.2
0.8
47.4
37.0
6.9
1.3
0.5
0.6
trace
0.5
0.3
1.5
545

Crude Palm Oil (%)

1.3
0.1
0.7
56.0
35.1
2.5
0.7
0.3
0.8
0.3
0.7
0.2
1.3
673

Fact 44: Like other edible oils and fats, palm oil is readily digested, absorbed and utilised as a source
of ready energy. Refined palm oil and its processed fractions, palm olein and palm stearin, are in fact
95-97% digestible, which is within the digestibility range of 93-99% for most edible oils and fats.
Source: Ng, et al (1988,1987)

44

Part VI: Oil Palm & The Environment

Source: IJM, Cede

45

Fact 45: An oil palm plantation is more effective than the rainforest in generating new biomass, which is
a potential renewable fuel.
A comparative study by Henson [1999] showed that an oil palm plantation assimilated up to 36.5 tonnes of dry
matter/ha/year, which is better than the 25.7 tonnes assimilated by natural rainforest.

Fact 46: Oil palm plantations are as effective as rainforests in acting as a carbon sink to absorb carbon
dioxide.
The same study by Henson also showed that the oil palm plantation is capable of accumulating up to 8.3 tonnes
of biomass/year, which is higher than 5.8 tonnes accumulated by the rainforest.

A Comparison of Some Physiological Parameters of Oil Palm and Tropical Rainforest

Parameter

Oil Palm (plantation)

Rainforest

Gross assimilation (t CO2/ha/yr)

161.0

163.5

Total respiration (t CO2/ha/yr)

96.5

121.1

Net assimilation (t CO2/ha/yr)

64.5

42.4

Leaf area index

5.6

7.3

Photosynthetic efficiency (%)

3.18

1.73

Radiation conversion efficiency (g/M)

1.68

0.86

Standing biomass (t/ha)

100

431

Biomass increment/yr (t)

8.3

5.8

36.5

25.7

Dry matter productivity/yr (t)

Source: Henson (1999)

46

Fact 47: Oil palm is an energy-efficient crop that requires the least energy input to produce a tonne of oil.
In comparison to all other oil crops, the cultivation of oil palm requires the least inputs of agrochemicals and
fossil fuel.

Input-Output in Cultivating Oil Palm and Other Oil Crops

Item and unit
Seed/fruit for extraction (kg)
Inputs
i) Nitrogen (kg N)
ii) Phosphate (kg P2O5)
iii) Pesticides and herbicides (kg)
iv) Others (kg)
v) Energy (GJ)
Outputs
a) Emission to soil and water
i) Nitrogen
ii) Phosphates
iii) Pesticides/herbicides
b) Emission to air (kg)
- NOX
- SO2
- CO2
- Pesticides/herbicides
Note: * Fruit bunches
Source: FAO (1996)

Palm Oil
4500*

Inputs to produce one tonne of oil by the crop

Soyabean Oil
Sunflower Oil
Rapeseed Oil
5000
2500
2500

47
8

315
77

96
72

99
42

2
88
0.5

29
117
2.9

28
150
0.2

11
124
0.7

5
2
0.4

32
23
23

10
22
22

10
13
9

0.5
0.2
32
0.1

4
2
205
6

0.3
0.1
16
6

0.8
0.2
50
2

47

Input-Output in Processing Oil Palm Fruits and Other Oilseeds to Vegetable Oils and Meals
Item and unit
Seed/fruit for extraction (kg)
Final Product : oil (kg)
: meal
Input for extraction
Solvent (Hexane) (kg)
Energy (GJ)1
Emission to air (kg)
- Solvents
- NOX
- SO2
- CO2

Palm Oil
4500 FFB*
1000

Input-output per tonne of oil

Soyabean Oil
Sunflower Oil
5000
2500
1000
100

Rapeseed Oil
2500
1000

200

1500

1500

4000

nil
a

4.3
2.2

4
3

4
3

nil
-

4.3
0.1
0.2
56

3.8
0.3
0.7
164

3.9
0.3
0.7
164

Emission to water (kg)

- COD2
2
Negligible
Negligible
Negligible
Notes:
* Fruit bunches
a
The fuel for producing all the steam required to process the fruits is the fruit residues, e.g. fibre and shell
1
Total is underestimated, as the energy for producing the solvent (hexane) is not included.
2
COD = Chemical Oxygen Demand.
Source: Singh (1999)

48

Fact 48: Oil palm leads other crop in terms of energy balance.

A Comparison of Energy Input & Output for Producing Palm, Soyabean and
Rapeseed Oils (GJ/ha)
Oil palm is the most efficient crop, producing the highest energy output:input ratio. In absolute terms, oil palm
also requires the lowest inputs of pesticides, fertilisers, and fuel for unit production of oil.

200
182

180
160

Energy, GJ/ha

140
120
100
80

70

60

50

40
20

19

20

Input
23
Output

Oil palm

Soyabean

Rapeseed

Source: Wood and Corley (1991)

49

Fact 49: The Malaysian oil palm industry uses sustainable practices to ensure that the environment and
biodiversity are not harmed by the cultivation of the crop. Indeed, the Malaysian oil palm plantations
have adopted a set of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to minimise the impact of their activities on
the environment.
i) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) minimises the use of pesticides by depending more on biological control
to protect the palm trees. Some examples are the barn owl to control rats; parasitoids, predatory insects and
entomofungi against leaf-defoliating insects, as well as the Cassia Cobanensis plant that attracts the bagworms
natural predator (insects). The fewer chemicals used, the less the environment is damaged.

A Predatory Insect and Barn Owl in An Oil Palm Field

Source: MPOC
50

ii) Biological control is also used in weed control, for example, grazing ruminants under the palms, and by planting
a legume cover to fix nitrogen and smother weeds. The leguminous cover also prevents soil erosion and
improves the soil tilth and rainfall retention.

A Leguminous Cover Plant in an Oil Palm Field

Source: UP Berhad

51

iii) Zero-burning is practised in clearing the old stand of trees during replanting, i.e. the old palms are pushed
over and shredded and left to decompose in situ. There is, therefore, no air pollution from burning the old
palms and most importantly, the nutrients in the old crop are recycled into the new.

Zero-burning During Replanting

Shredding

Six months after replanting

Source: UP Berhad

52

Mulching

Two months after replanting

High-yielding oil palms

Available Nutrients and Fertiliser Equivalent in Oil Palm Biomass at Replanting (per ha basis)
Palm Residue
Above-ground
Below-ground
Total

Dry Matter (tonne/ha)

85
16
101

N (kg/ha)
P (kg/ha)
K (kg/ha)
Mg (kg/ha)
577
50
1255
141
65
8
129
15
642
58
1384
156
A/S
CIRP
MOP
KIES
Fertiliser Equivalent (kg)
3060
370
2770
1000
*Monetary value (RM 5,603)
2142
159
2742
560
A/S = Ammonium Sulphate
CIRP = Christmas Island Rock Phosphate MOP = Muriate of Potash KIES = Kieserite
Note: *Based on fertiliser price in Jan 2005: A/S: RM 700/tonne, CIRP: RM 430/tonne, MOP: RM 990/tonne, KIES: RM 560/tonne.
Source: Khalid, et al (1999a and 1999b)

iv) Hilly land is contoured with back slopes for planting. The terraces are mulched along their length with a line
of pruned fronds to minimise soil erosion and water run-off.

Example of Terracing in an Oil Palm Plantation

Source: IJM, Cede

53

Fact 50: The expansion of oil palm cultivation in Malaysia does not encroach into forest areas.
The increase in oil palm areas in Malaysia is either through the planting of idle land or conversion from other
crops. By end 2007, 1.02 mil ha of land, which used to be under other crops, had been converted to oil palm. Oil
palm is planted on 4.30 mil ha, which is about 13% of the total land area of Malaysia. The country has at least
18.55 million hectares, or 56.5% of its total land area, under forest and in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and
nature reserves.

Permanent Forests in Malaysia at End 2006e (Million hectares)

Region

Protection
Forest

Production
Forest

National Park,
Wildlife
Sanctuary and
Nature
Reserves

Stateland
Forest

Total of Forested
Area, National
Park, Wildlife
Sanctuary
and Nature
Reserves
5.44

Total Land
Area

Peninsular
1.52
3.18
0.74
13.16
Malaysia
Sabah
0.59
3.00
0.28
3.87
7.37
Sarawak
1.00
5.00
1.00
2.24
9.24
12.32
Total
3.11
11.18
2.02
2.24
18.55
32.85
Note: e = estimated
Source: Forestry Department Peninsular, Forestry Department Sarawak, and Forestry Department Sabah (2006)

Changes in Area under the Main Tree Crops in Malaysia (Million hectares)
Year

Oil Palm

Rubber

Cocoa

2001
3.499
1.389
0.058
2002
3.670
1.348
0.048
2003
3.802
1.315
0.045
2004
3.875
1.282
0.042
2005
4.051
1.250
0.033
2006
4.165
1.225
0.033
2007
4.305
1.200
0.030
Source: Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (2008) and MPOB (2008)
54

Coconut

Total

0.151
0.137
0.140
0.143
0.121
0.115
0.109

5.097
5.203
5.302
5.342
5.449
5.538
5.644

Changes in Land Use under Selected Tree Crops in Malaysia

Oil Palm
46.2%

Oil Palm
76.3%

Coconut
3.1%

Coconut
1.9%

Cocoa
8.9%

Cocoa
0.5%
Rubber
41.8%

Rubber
21.3%

1990 = 4.392 million ha

Crop
Oil palm
Rubber
Cocoa
Coconut

2007 = 5.644 million ha

Total Planted Area (Million ha)

Year 1990

Year 2007

2.029
1.836
0.393
0.134

4.305
1.200
0.030
0.109

Total
4.392
5.644
Collectively, rubber, cocoa and coconut had lost 1.024 mil ha, which were mainly converted to oil palm
Source: Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (2008) and MPOB (2008)

55

Fact 51: Malaysia provides a sustainable source for vegetable oils to meet the worlds ever-increasing
demand for oils and fats.
In 2007, Malaysian oil palm produced 17.73 million tonnes of oils, accounting for almost 14% of global production
of vegetable oils. This was achieved with only 4.30 million hectares of planted area, which represents less than
1.85% of the total planted area of the worlds oilseeds.

Palm Oil - A Malaysian Sustainable Achievement

Malaysian Oil Palm
Worlds Oilseeds
Note: a for both palm and palm kernel oils
Source: Oil World (2008a) and MPOB (2008)

56

Total Planted Area (mil ha)

4.30
234.00

Total Oil Production (mil tonnes)

17.73a
129.35

Part VII: The Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

Source: MPOC

57

The Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

The oil palm industry has been the backbone of Malaysias social and economic development. Since more than
90% of its production is exported, the industry is one of the top earners for the country, contributing about
RM 45.2 billion in foreign exchange in 2007. It also gives employment to about 860,000 people.
From its humble beginnings in the 1960s, the Malaysian oil palm industry has expanded and flourished while
learning its way about to its present state of excellence. Today, the industry is well-developed and at its strongest
ever. Currently, the sector is under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, under which two
agencies are responsible for its progress and promotion - the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and the
Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). These agencies undertake R&D, promotion and marketing, regulatory and
enforcement functions, as well as provide economic and technical advisory services. This is done to ensure that
the industry will continually achieve higher yields, offer more products as well as increase its share of the global
oils and fats market.
The industry can be divided into three levels - plantation, milling, and refining - represented by their respective
association(s) to coordinate mutual and separate interests. The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) represents
the planters or growers and the Federation of Palm Oil Millers Associations of Malaysia (POMA) speaks for
the millers. The refiners are represented by the Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia (PORAM). The oil
palm industry is closely linked to its sister industry - the oleochemical sector - represented by the Malaysian
Oleochemicals Manufacturers Group (MOMG).
To ensure that all the activities do not pose problems, the industry is subject to several laws and regulations,
making it one of the most regulated industries in the world. Some of the laws and regulations include the Land
Acquisition Act 1960, Protection of Wildlife Act 1972, Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation 1978,
Pesticides Act 1974 (Pesticides Registration) Rules 1976, Labour Law, Workers Minimum Standard of Housing
and Amenities Act, Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Occupational Safety and Health
Act 1977.
Through its long, colourful and historic journey, the Malaysian oil palm industry has and will continue to
prosper while continuing to assume a significant role in the country. The good demand for the oil as well as new
opportunities in the form of biodiesel as an alternative fuel will ensure that the journey forward will be equally
exciting.
The Malaysian oil palm industry is undoubtedly the pride of the nation.
58

Related Organisations
1) Ministry of Plantation Industries &
Commodities (MPIC)
Flr 6-13, No. 15, Persiaran Perdana, Precinct 2
Federal Government Administrative Center
62654 Putrajaya
Tel: +6(03) 8880 3300
Fax: +6(03) 8880 3482
2) Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA)
12th Flr, Bangunan Getah Asli (Menara)
No. 148, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6(03) 2710 5680
Fax: +6(03) 2710 5679
3) Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi
43000 Kajang, Selangor
Tel: +6(03) 8769 4400
Fax: +6(03) 8925 9446
4) Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC)
2nd Flr, Wisma Sawit
Lot 6, SS6, Jalan Perbandaran
47301 Kelana Jaya, Selangor
Tel: +6(03) 7806 4097
Fax: +6(03) 7806 2272
5) The Malayan Edible Oil Manufacturers
Association (MEOMA)
No. 134 -1, 1st Flr, Wisma MEOMA
Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6(03) 2274 7420
Fax: +6(03) 2070 6698

6) Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group

(MOMG)
Wisma FMM
No. 3, Persiaran Dagang, PJU 9
Bandar Sri Damansara
52200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6(03) 6276 1211
Fax: +6(03) 6277 6714
7) National Association of Smallholders
Malaysia (NASH)
2-5-14, Prima Peninsula
Jalan Setiawangsa 11, Taman Setiawangsa
54200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6(03) 4256 6299
Fax: +6(03) 4257 3513
8) The Federation of Palm Oil Millers
Associations of Malaysia (POMA)
No. 26, Jalan Istana
41000 Klang, Selangor
Tel: +6(03) 3371 0611
Fax: +6(03) 3371 2886
9) Palm Oil Refiners Association of Malaysia
(PORAM)
801C/802A, Block B, Executive Suites
Kelana Business Centre
No. 97, Jalan SS7/2
47301 Kelana Jaya, Selangor
Tel: +6(03) 7492 0006
Fax: +6(03) 7492 0128

59

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1) Berger, K. (2005). Review of Literature on Frying in Palm Oil. In The Use of Palm Oil In Frying. Malaysian Palm Oil
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1977-70. MARDI Research Bulletin (in press).
3) Choudhury, N., et al. (1995). Comparison of palm olein and olive oil: effects on plasma lipids and vitamin E in young
adults. Am J. Clin. Nutr. 61. pp. 1043-51.
4) CODEX Alimentarius Vol XI. FAO/WHO, Rome (1983). Introduction and pp. 115-130.
5) Department of Statistics, Malaysia. (2008). As in Key Statistics at www.statistics.gov.my.
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487 (1984), No. 516, 518 and 519 (1985).
7) FAO (1996). Environment, Sustainability and Trade Linkages for Basic Food Stuffs. Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations, Rome. pp. 51.
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10) Gunstone, F.D., J.L. Harwood, and F.B. Padley. (1986). In Lipid Handbook. Chapman and Hall, London, p. 104 and
455 (1984), 516, 518 and 519 (1985).
11) Henson, I.E. (1999). Comparative ecophysiology of oil palm and tropical rainforest. In Oil Palm & the Environment:
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16) Malaysian Palm Oil Board. (2005). Selected Readings on Palm Oil & Its Uses: In 25th Palm Oil Familiarization
Programme, 31 July-10 August 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
17) Malaysian Palm Oil Board. (1992). Selected Readings on Palm Oil and Its Uses: in Palm Oil Familiarization Programme
(POFP) (Abdullah Ariffin et al, eds.), PORIM. Bangi. pp. 24-59.
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Ming et al eds). Malaysian Palm Oil Council & Trans Events Sdn. Bhd., Kelana Jaya. pp. 9-10.
19) Malaysian Palm Oil Council, et al. (2005b). The Creation of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry. In Malaysian Palm Oil:
A Success Story (Khoo Khee Ming et al eds). Malaysian Palm Oil Council & Trans Events Sdn. Bhd. Kelana Jaya, pp.1118.
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Jaya. pp. 6.
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Jaya. pp. 25.
22) Malaysian Palm Oil Council. (1991). Basic Background Information On Palm Oil. Kelana Jaya. pp. 19.
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MCF-7 cell inoculation in athymic mice. Lipids. 39 (5): pp. 459-467.
25) Ng, T. K. W., K. C. Hayes, et al. (1992). Dietary palmitic and oleic acids exert similar effects on serum cholesterol and
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28) Oil World. (2008). ISTA Mielke GmbH, Hamburg, No. 17, Vol. 51, Apr 25th. pp 204-7.
29) Oil World. (2008a). Statistics Update. ISTA Mielke GmbH, Hamburg, Mar 14th. pp 15-68.
30) Oil World. (2000 2008). Oil World Monthly
61

31) Ong, ASH. and S.H. Goh. (2002). Palm Oil: A healthful and cost-effective dietary component. Food Nutr. Bull. 23: pp.
11-22.
32) Ong, ASH. (1993). Natural sources of Tocotrienols. In Lester Packer & Jurgen Fuchs (eds), Vitamin E in health and
disease. Mercel Dekker, Inc: New York
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34) Pantzaris, T.P. (1997). Pocketbook of Palm Oil Uses. 4th ed. Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Bangi. pp. 29.
35) Qureshi, A.A., et al. (1995). Response of hypercholesterolemic subjects to administration of tocotrienols. Lipids. 30
(12): pp. 1171-7.
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No. 6.
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production. Industry and Environment Volume 22 No. 2/3, UNEP, Paris. pp. 45-50.
38) Sundram, K., M.A. French, et al. (2003). Exchanging partially-hydrogenated fat for palmitic acid in the diet increases
LDL-cholesterol and endogenous cholesterol synthesis in normocholesterolemic women. Eur.J.Nutr. 42(4): pp. 18894.
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62

Further Readings
1

Chan, C. K (2002). Oil palm carbon sequestration and carbon accounting: our global strength. Paper presented at the
MPOA Seminar 2002: R&D for Competitive Edge in the Malaysian Oil Palm Industry. 19 20 March 2002. Bangi. pp. 17.

Corley, H (1999). New technologies for plantation crop improvement. Presented at the Tropical Agriculture
Association Conference on Advancing Biotechnology in Developing Countries. The Royal Agricultural College,
Cirencester. 2 December 1999.

Davidson, L. Challenge the Critics, Global Oils & Fats, Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Vol. (4), 2006, pp. 12-15.

Khairudin, H (2003). MPOAs endeavor towards sustainable agriculture. Paper presented at the MPOA Seminar 2003:
Good Agricultural Practice and Food Safety in the Oil Palm Industry. Malaysian Palm Oil Association, Kuala Lumpur.
24 25 February 2003. pp. 15.

Malaysian Palm Oil Council (2006). Palm Oil & Palm Kernel Oil Applications. Kelana Jaya.

Pushparajah, E (1998). The oil palm a very environmentally friendly crop. The Planter, 74 (863): pp. 63 72.

Spiller, G.A, (2004). The Trans Fat Dilemma and Natural Palm Oil. Pascoe Publishing. California, USA.

Acknowledgement
We wish to thank the Editorial Committee members from MPOC and MPOB and extend special appreciation to the Chief
Executive Officer of Malaysian Palm Oil Council and Director-General of Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

63

Fact Sheets

Malaysian Palm Oil

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