After the harvest, the pulp is removed, the nuts are dried, the shell is removed and the shea kernels processed for shea butter. This shea butter is produced by three methods namely, solvent extraction, mechanical expression and a third method loosely referred to as traditional method (Abdul-Mumeen et al., 2019).
What is shea butter used for?
Shea butter is a high-value shea nut fat used as an edible oil, antimicrobial and moisturiser in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, respectively. The annual worldwide export of shea nut from Africa is 350,000 MT of kernels with a market value of approximately $120 million to producing countries.
Can mechanical Ex pression rig be used for dry extraction of shea butter?
Development of mechanical ex pression rig for dry extraction of shea butter from shea kernel. Journal of Food Science and Technology 44465-470. Olaniyan AM, Oje K (2007b). Quality characteristics of shea butter recovered from shea kernel through dry extraction pr ocess.
Why is hexane used in shea butter extraction?
According to FAO and CFC (2002), sol vent and the lack of technical skills associated with it. The changed during the chemical extraction process. For market. A dditionally, hexane extraction removes most if not all of the hea ling properties from shea butter. Hexane that of gasoline. Its use for shea butter extraction