Dear Mr Bell, All oils and fats are compounds of fatty acids and glycerin and when they are hydrolysed or esterified as in biodiesel production, the glycerin is formed again and released. In the case of CPO the theoretical amount released is 11%, but in practice there are losses and you should reckon on 10%.. Regards, FP (14.02.2010)

Dear Mr Velez, Thank you for your news from Colombia. Indeed you are making very good progress with PO production and I expect next year you will pass the million tonnes. PFAD is simply the FFA from CPO refining and has the same FA composition. Their calorific value is also the same and equal to that of the major seed oils. The only difference of any concern would the high acidity of PFAD compared to CPO and the high MP of both in comparison to the seed oils, which might expect to reduce digestibility in very young chicks. But even for them nutritional studies by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board at British universities, in which I was personally involved, showed very little difference between CPO, PFAD and SBO.in broiler chicks. Regards, FP (14.02.2010)

Dear Mr Darren, Good even rainfall throughout the year will lead to better, healthier, plants with bigger fruit in the bunches, and better OER. But other variables also have an effect it is very difficult to be precise. The FFA is more affected by the maturity of the fruit and care after harvesting than by anything else. Regards, FP (02.02.2010)

Dear Mr Farhan, Currently Pakistan's imports of PO from Malaysia are standing at 1.3 million tonnes annually and the main grades are RBD PO, RBD Palm Olein and RBD Palm Stearin. The standard specifications are the PORAM ones. I expect in Pakistan, many Malaysian exporters will have representative offices and it will help you to visit them. Also before you place any orders try to learn about PO as much as you can, to avoid expensive mistakes Regards, FP (02.02.2010)

Dear Mr Gatreddi, I regret your question is completely outside the scope of this page. Please read the notes at the top. But I wonder why you do not write to FOSFA and ask them directly. Regards FP (02.02.2010)

Dear Mr Khetawat, This is not a technological question and I am not a trader in Malaysia, so I do not know, the procedure you require. But I am sure if you write a neat, typed, business looking letter to the Director General, MPOB, telling him a little about your education and experience and requesting a licence, he will let you know what is required. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Mr Chakraborty, The specific heat of vanaspati is 0.5 Kcal/Kg but has nothing to do with preservation. Given a batch of vanaspati its shelf life will depend only on temperature and access of air. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Mr Jak, The ratio of male to female flowers depends on the variety of the palms you have planted and the general condition and health they are in. Your soil being sandy is probably deficient in organic matter and minerals, so try to improve it by spreading empty fruit bunches(EFB) you can get from your nearest PO mill for next to nothing. Also apply plenty of NPK fertiliser with high K (potash) content. Palms need potash. Bear In mind that in Thailand the average yield is only a modest 13T FFB per ha, so you can measure your performance against that. Thailand is making very good progress with PO and must have a research institute concerned with palm. Write to their director general, requesting them nicely to visit you when possible, for further advice. They can do soil analysis leaf analysis etc. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Mr Abu_halawah. Re-refining your oil will restore it in RBD condition, but in theory and other things being equal, its quality will not be quite as good as that made from fresh CPO. But do go ahead, all refiners do it. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Raotony, You can make some kind of soap from any fat and which one you should chose depends on the type of soap you want, its quality and price. As your question refers only to PO, the lowest quality is PFAD and the highest is RBDPO. The main difference will be in the colour and smell of the soap. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Mr Mubashir, Your question is too vague and you want info on 4 oils. The tests usually done on CPO are FFA, and M&I, on NBPO are FFA, MP and colour and on RBDPO the same. plus IV. In regard to your last question on PO, I need to know which grade PO you mean and which characteristics. Regards, FP (24.01.2010)

Dear Mr Edkor, Unfortunately like 99% of people here, you are asking for answers without giving me the necessary information. Yet as some one involved with oil palms you should know that yields depend on soil, temperature, rainfall, fertiliser applicatioin etc and you have not even told me your country. But I can tell you that if you were in Malaysia, the average yield there is about 22 tonnes FFB per hectare.and if you are in the Ivory Coast it is 7.5 tonnes. Regards, FP (14.01.2010)

Dear Mr Yared, This website has the prices you want, but you will have to join it and pay the subscription. In business there is no such thing as a free lunch..Regards, FP (14.01.2010)

Dear Mr Kslee, It seems to me you will have to enroll for studies and work in these areas. Regards, FP (14.01.2010)

Dear Mr Ganesh, The CBS producers offer their specialities with different specifications and different prices and the confectionery producers test them and decide whether they like them or not. The yields obtained depend on the process employed and on fractionation efficiencies which they rightly keep secret. Regards, FP (14.01.2010)

Dear Mr Surti, Low melting point (MP) makes the stearin softer and high MP makes it harder. The iodine value goes the opposite way. Regards, FP (12.01.2010)

Dear Mr Alva, The FFA of the oil ex deodoriser depends not only on the temperature and pressure but also and most importantly, on the design of the deodoriser. To advise you correctly I would need much more information than you have given me. Things are not as simple as most people think and that is why there is so much inferior quality on the market. Regards FP. (10.01.2010)

Dear Mr Anisiobi, For refining CPO you need a refinery not a mill and you will have to contact suitable engineering companies to install it. If you contact me privately, I can put you in contact with reputable, expeienced constructors I recommend, but I would then charge you my standard fee. Regards, FP (10.01.2010)

Dear Mr King, Thank you for your courtesy, and your plan for entering the PO industry seems quite sensible. In regard to the price equation, I am still working to optimise it. When I am ready, I am planning to present it at one of the international conferences where they pay me to lecture and those who attend pay to do so. You would be welcome to attend if you wished. Regards, FP (08.01.2010)

Dear Mr Hamad, The usual grade of PO used for biodiesel is RBDPO but it depends on what plant you have. Please note that PO prices are quoted per metric tonne, not per gallon and the word Malaysia is spelt like this. Regards, FP (07.01.2010)