The oil palm grows?

Many people know about the existence of palm oil. For today it is one of the most used and widespread products of vegetable origin all over the world. In this article we will consider some questions concerning this curious exotic plant, which gives such a necessary product: what is the oil palm tree, where it grows, etc.

First of all, I would like to note that the very first description of a tree resembling an oil palm tree was made by a Venetian named Alvise da Cada Mosto in the 15th century. This scientist was engaged in research in West Africa.

More than 50 years ago, the fruits of the oil palm tree had traveled a long way along with the slaves across the Atlantic Ocean, after which this oil became so prevalent all over the world.

There are Solomon Islands (south-western part of the Pacific Ocean), where you can see the endless rows of palm trees, from the fruits of which they make butter.

Oil palm tree: photo, description

This plant is a family of palm trees and one of the species of the genus oil palm.

In the wild form it is a huge tree, whose height can reach from 20 to 30 meters, but in culture it often grows from 10 to 15 meters. The main trunk of the palm appears only in the 4th-6th year of life, and in the shade (under the canopy of the forest) - only in 15-20 years. Adult tree has a trunk diameter equal to 25 centimeters.

The palm root system is quite powerful, but it does not usually lie very deep. Adult plants at the base of the trunk have numerous adhering roots. Some plants have such thick appendages covering the trunk up to a height of 1 meter.

The leaves of the palm tree are long (up to 7 meters), large and feathery. In an adult plant in the crown they can count 20-40 pieces. But every year at the palm tree die to 25 leaves, again being replaced by new ones. Large brown thorns cover the petioles of leaves.

In addition to all of the above, it is very beautiful and stately externally this amazing oil palm tree.

Fruit

This is a typical old-style drupe. Oval-shaped fruit of the oil palm is covered from above with a fibrous pericarp, inside which is a pulp containing oil. Under this pulp there is a nut, covered with a fairly strong shell, inside which is a kernel (or seed). The latter mainly consists of endosperm, and the seed embryo is small.

The oil palm (photo of the fruit at the top) has a huge number of drupes. The mass of each of them is 55-100 g. They are collected in paniculate inflorescences, containing a total of 1300 to 2300 fruits.

Characteristics of oils

Palm oil is produced from fruit pulp. Its color can vary from dark yellow to dark red, and it is used mainly as a lubricant for processing and for the production of soap.

Palm oil is produced from the kernels of palm fruits. By its properties and composition, it is similar to coconut and is often used in its place.

Although this oil has a melting point of 27 to 30 degrees Celsius, it is very often subjected to hydrogenation, used in a mixture with other liquid vegetable oils or separately for the production of food salos in the production of margarine.

To produce one ton of palm oil, four and a half tons of fruit are needed.

Harvesting

Oil palm, as already noted above, has a huge number of fruits. At the same time, plantation workers harvest a ripe harvest of up to 2 tons (from 80 to 100 bunches) daily by hand. It should be noted that one bunch reaches a weight of 25 kg. And in each of them about two hundred fruits.

Collecting fruits is very difficult and time-consuming, because they are located approximately at the height of a four-story house. How is this done? Workers fasten sharp knives to the end of the extended pole. With the help of these, collectors cut down fruits from the trees and collect them in heaps on the side of the road. Then the grapes get to the processing plant.

Places of growth

In countries with a hot climate, an oil palm grows. Where is it grown? There is an African palm of this kind (Elaeis guieneensis). Though its homeland is tropical Africa (Nigeria), it grows in Malaysia, Central America and Indonesia.

There are also places where such a palm tree is grown (species Elaeis melanococca, Acrocomia and Coco Mbocaya) and in South America (in particular, in Paraguay). Cultivate this plant for the production of technical and edible oils.

Productivity

Wild-growing oil palm blooms and fructifies only for the 10-20th year of life, and a specially cultivated plant begins to bear fruit for the third or fourth years after planting.

The maximum yield is achieved at the age of 15-18 years, and the total life of this exotic plant is on average 80 to 120 years.

A bit of history

Oil from the fruits of this wonderful useful plant was made from the earliest times. During archaeological excavations a pitcher with obvious traces of palm oil (African burial grounds dating back to the 3rd millennium BC) was discovered.

The cultivation of palm trees on an industrial scale began only in the twentieth century. At that time, the companies that produced soap and margarine were interested in oil of its fruits.

Large-scale cultivation of palm trees began in Indonesia in 1911, in Malaysia - in 1919. The areas with planting of these plants in African countries also began to expand.

Today, the oil palm is one of the world's leading crops used for the production of vegetable oil. According to statistics, in 1988 it was produced more than 9 million tons, and annually the production became more and more.

Using

The natives themselves usually use the freshest oil, which at that time resembles nut taste, from food for nuts. Subsequently, the taste and smell of it change to not very pleasant.

In general, the oil palm is used quite differently: from the fibers of its young leaves ropes are made, dry leaves are used for weaving mats, curtains, made of them and roofing for huts. From the stems weave baskets, quite tasty young shoots are used for food (the so-called palm cabbage), wine is produced from the palm juice.

In England, oil is used to lubricate machinery and make candles.

In recent years, the palm tree has also been grown in Brazil.

In conclusion - about the features of the use of oil

Surprisingly, palm oil, used in metallurgy (lubricants for rolling mills , etc.), is also used in the food industry.

It is used in the production of additives, baking powder, ice cream, with industrial frying of potatoes (chips).

In addition, it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. And since the beginning of the 2000s, palm oil has been used extensively in the production of biofuels.