Palm kernel facts for kids
The palm kernel is the edible seed found inside the fruit of the oil palm tree. This amazing fruit gives us two different kinds of oil. The outer part of the fruit provides palm oil, which is used in many foods and products. The kernel, or seed, gives us palm kernel oil.
After the oil is taken from the kernel, what's left is called "palm kernel cake." This cake is very useful! It's often used as a high-protein food for farm animals, especially dairy cows. Sometimes, it's even burned in special boilers to create electricity for the palm oil mills and nearby villages.
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What Palm Kernel Is Used For
Palm kernel cake is usually made by pressing the kernels with a machine called a screw press. This process squeezes out the oil and leaves the cake.
Palm Kernel Cake as Animal Feed
Palm kernel cake is a great food source for certain farm animals, especially ruminants like cows, goats, and sheep. These animals have special stomachs that can digest the fiber in the cake. It's known for having a good amount of fiber and a medium level of protein.
Compared to other animal feeds, palm kernel cake is considered quite good. It's better than some, like copra cake (from coconuts), but not as high in protein as things like fish meal. It contains important nutrients like magnesium, iron, and zinc, which are good for animal health. For example, a common mix for feeding dairy cows might include about half palm kernel cake, along with grass, molasses, and other minerals.
Palm Kernel Shells for Energy
The hard shells of the palm kernel, called PKS (Palm Kernel Shells), are also very useful. They are a byproduct of making palm kernel oil. These shells can be used as a biofuel, which means they can be burned to create energy. Sometimes, they are even turned into pellets to make them easier to transport and burn for electricity. This is a way to use all parts of the palm fruit and create renewable energy.
Gallery
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World War II British Empire poster encouraging the collection of palm kernels for oil.
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