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Article: Palm oil for trans-fat challenges. (R&D Applications).(Malaysian Palm Oil Council Inc.)
- Article from:
- Prepared Foods
- Article date:
- June 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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When developing food products without trans-fatty acids, food scientists should consider formulating items with palm oil. Trans-fatty acids, in general, are thought to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and they are formed when fats are hydrogenated to make them more solid and extend their shelf life. Because palm oil is semi-solid naturally, it does not require hydrogenation.
Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. Unlike many other vegetable oils, the extraction is done without using solvents. Palm oil is the leading agricultural crop of Malaysia, which is the world's largest producer. The oil, from the ...