An Overview of Palm Oil Production Processing in Nigeria: A Case Study of Ilashe, Nigeria
M. B. Biodiin, Esther T. Akinlabi, Imhade P. Okokpujie, O.S.I. Fayomi
Abstract
Abstract Palm oil, which is extracted from the fleshy mesocarp of the palm fruit, has been a vital resource in the majority of Nigerians diet. The global need for palm oil is fast increasing because it serves as a source of income. After been refined, the oil is filtered to get a liquid fraction, which is being utilized as cooking oil. Furthermore, the Palm oil process involves the separation of the fruit from fibrous attachment, followed by the crushing of fruit, heating, and extracting the oil using an oilseed expeller, clarification in a filter press by sedimentation. This paper gives an overview of the plant layout of palm oil processing and the scheduling operation, which includes bunch reception, fruit removal, bunches sterilization, digestion of the fruit, extracting of palm oil, clarification of oil, oil storage, and recovery of the kernel. Furthermore, the survey of an area in Nigeria was also carried out to ascertain factors affecting the production of palm oil and individual view on the impact of processing. Due to the yield in oil palm enterprise, if the sector is judiciously managed, it will be a source of solution to problems that Nigeria is experiencing.