Saarc Oils & Fats Today - February 2012 by S Jafar Naqvi

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Contents v Editorial Chief EDITOR S. Jafar Naqvi Hon. Advisory Board Dr. A. K. Vasishtha Dr. I. A. Siddiqui G.G. Patel Ajay Tondon O. P Goenka Dr. S. K. Saxena Consulting Editors T.V. Satyanarayanan K Dharmarajan Editorial Co-ordinator Syed M K General Manager Lalitha V Rajan Production Mohd. Iqbal HYDERABAD 9248669027 mediatodayhyd@yahoo.com MUMBAI 9702903993 mumbai.office@mediatoday.in Bangalore 9342185915 bangalore.office@mediatoday.in PUNE 9881137397 pune@mediatoday.in ADMN. & MARKETING OFFICE MEDIA TODAY PVT. LTD. T-30, 1st Fl., KHIRKI EXTN., MALVIYA NAGAR, NEW DELHI - 110017. PHONE : 91-11-26681671, 26682045 TELEFAX : 91-11-26681671 E-mail: MediaTodayMails@gmail.com ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION India: Rs.1000/-for 1 Year / Rs.1950/-for 2 Years Overseas: US$ 120 for 1 Year / US$ 230 for 2 Years Single Copy Cost in India : Rs. 60.00 Printed, Published & Owned by M.B. Naqvi, Printed at Everest Press, E-49/8, Okhla Industrial Area, Ph-II, New Delhi -110 020 and published from E-11/47 -A, New Colony, Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi-110017 (India). Editor : S. Jafar Naqvi

ISSUE 5 Vol. 14 February 2012 ‘Saarc Oils & Fats Today’ T-30, Ist Floor, Khirki Extn., Malviya Nagar, New Delhi - 110017 E-mail : MediaTodayMails@gmail.com

Cover Story Making Vegoil Industry more Competitive in Int’l Market SEA’s Proposals in Pre-Budget Memorandum

v l

Research Oil Uptake and Thermal Stability of Oils & Fats during Frying & Heating — Rekha B, Sukumar Debnath, B R Lokesh and A G Gopala Krishna

5 6

l Nutrients and Antinutrients in Soyabean — Punit Chandra v

Technology 17 Oil Seeds Processing Productivity is Attributable to Cutting Edge Technology — Dr. J.S. Chaudhuri

v Dairy Why Not an ATM for Milk: Some Thoughts — Jose Abraham

v Price Outlook Palm Oil Unlikely to Rally on Tight Fundamentals — G Chandrashekhar

Pre-show Report 30 Thai Agriculture Minister to open FIAAP, VICTAM & GRAPAS ASIA Exhibitions Will be the biggest yet

v News 31 l China suspends import of Indian rapeseed meal l Mustard output may drop l New hub for edible oils l Benchmark price on anvil for palm oil, jatropha l Biofuels from seaweed l Raw milk products reconsidered by FSANZ l One glass of milk a day to boost brain power l Amul to market frozen yoghurt

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

Editorial B

t Cotton has virtually monopolized the cotton areas in India, with farmers avidly having adopted the transgenic variety, credited with having imparted resistance to the dreaded pest, American bollworm. After Mahyco got approval for its Bt cotton hybrid seed Bollgard in 2002, this genetically engineered, insect-resistant variety has covered more than 90 per cent of the cotton cultivated area in the country. What is more, Union Agriculture Minister Shrad Pawar has told Parliament that the income of cotton cultivators has increased -- on an average, Rs. 10,000 per hectare -- because of higher yields and reduction in the use of high-cost pesticides. This has also helped India to become the second largest cotton-producer in the world. Thanks to the growth in demand for Bt cotton and other hybrid seeds, Mahyco is expecting a ten per cent growth in revenue in this fiscal. The company is now engaged in developing genetically modified rice, wheat, okra, brinjal, cauliflower and pigeon pea. The flip side of the story, however, of Bt cotton’s near monopoly has been a growing imbalance in the product mix. Bt cotton hybrids available now being long staple types, production of varieties of other staple lengths and lint qualities required for various end-uses has taken a beating. The commissioner in the Union Ministry of Textiles minced no words to drive home the point that the output of other varieties including extra long staple and

short staple has declined over the years since farmers have switched to the high yielding Bt crop. This is reflected in the 90 per cent increase in the import of extra long staple cotton in the current crop year, compared to last year. Alongside, the output of short staple cotton has plummeted – from 760,000 bales 2003-04 to about 400,000 bales now -- adversely affecting the production of coarse fabrics that have multiple uses, including in hospitals for bandages and the like. Scientists are worried over the impact of monoculture of Bt cotton on the pest regime, although the most common American bollworm seems to have been mostly controlled. There are reports that pests like jassids -a leaf hopping pest -- thrips ad bugs are becoming a menace in many growing areas. A welcome news is that Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is initiating a Rs. 8,200 crore multipronged project to develop a next generation ‘super Bt cotton’ variety, designed to offer protection from multiple pests and diseases. Part of the funds would be used to develop farm tools and equipment, such as cotton picking machines. One hopes ICAR with its vast research network would strive to provide a steady flow of new seeds, using, of course, indigenous technology, to maintain the genetic diversity and offer the farmers a wider choice of varieties to meet different requirements.

Comments are welcome at: MediaTodayMails@gmail.com

Views expressed by individuals and contributors in the magazine are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of “SAARC Oils & Fats Today” editorial board. The magazine does not accept any responsibility of any direct, indirect or consequential damage caused to any party due to views expressed by any one or more persons in the trade. All disputes are to be referred to Delhi Jurisdiction only. .....Editor

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Cover Story To stem the tide of rising edible oil imports and to strengthen the domestic vegoil industry, the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has suggested a series of steps to be incorporated in the Union Budget for 201213. Since the interests of the industry and oilseed farmers are interlinked, the prebudget memorandum submitted by SEA to the government has proposed, among other things, a substantial increase in the outlay for the Pulses & Oilseeds Villages programme, expansion of area under oil palm, and incentives to the industry to take up extension work, besides changes in the duty structure. The biggest beneficiaries of the suggested steps would be domestic oilseed cultivators, particularly marginal farmers, says Sea President Sushil Goenka.

Making Vegoil Industry more Competitive in Int’l Market

SEA’s Proposals in Pre-Budget Memorandum

haracterized by low yields, India’s oilseeds production hovers around only 270-280 lakh tonnes. The oilseeds are grown mainly on marginal and submarginal lands under low input usage. Moreover, less than 25% of the oilseed area is irrigated, rendering cultivation vulnerable to weather-related yield risk. This has resulted in slow growth in oilseed production and continued low yields. At about 1000 kgs./ha, Indian oilseed yields are about half of the world’s average and less than one-third of leading producers. To bridge the gap between demand and supply, the country is compelled to import a large quantity of edible oils, and this has made India the largest importer of vegetable oils in the world. During November, 2010 to October, 2011 (2010-11) the country’s import was estimated at about 88/90 lakh tonnes of edible oil worth Rs.35,000 crore —a huge burden on the exchequer, next only to crude petroleum products and gold. It is therefore very essential to increase the availability of vegetable oils from domestic resources by encouraging diversification of land from food grains to oilseeds, increasing productivity of oilseeds

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

and by fullest exploitation of non-traditional domestic sources. This will improve capacity utilisation, increase production & productivity, and thereby make the industry fully competitive in the international market. The biggest beneficiaries would be the marginal farmers whose entire livelihood depends upon the meager earnings that they get from their small piece of land. To achieve these objectives, the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has suggested the following measures for consideration in the Union Budget for 2012-13. Pulses & Oilseed Villages & Oil Palm Development In the last Budget the Finance Minister allotted Rs.300 crore for pulses villages and also Rs.300 crore for expansion of area under Oil Palm cultivation. This allocation will have a very little impact to cope up with the demand for oilseeds and to move towards the goal of making the country self-sufficient in edible oil in near future. SEA’s request, therefore, to the Government is to allocate Rs.2,500 crore per year for the next three years to achieve visible impact on oilseeds production and productivity.

Cover Story Weighted Deduction for Oilseeds Extension Programme The industry is conscious of the fact that there is need for pro-active approach on the part of the industry and enter into Oilseeds Extension Programme to provide to the farmers the necessary agri inputs to achieve higher level of productivity. It is suggested that weighted Income Tax deduction of 200% be granted to companies undertaking Oilseeds Extension Programme. Involvement of private sector in oilseed extension Programme will supplement Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts and will go a long way in increasing oilseeds production and productivity in the country.

Increase the Tariff Value on the Refined Edible Oils to USD 1150/- PMT in line with the current market Price.

Completely Ban the import of Edible Oils in Consumer Packs.

Re-align Tariff Value for Edible Oils & Raise the Import Duty Indonesia has recently announced a new tax structure on the export of palm oil and its byproducts, effective from 15th Sept. 2011, a significant export duty differential has been introduced between CPO and RBD olein. Earlier the duty on CPO (raw material) and RBD olein (finished product), was uniformly kept at 15%. The new policy envisages duty on CPO at 16.5% whilst export duty on RBD olein has been reduced to 10% on palmolein in bulk and 2% in consumer packs. This duty differential between Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and RBD Palmolein, will encourage the Indonesian refineries to export refined RBD palmolein, as against CPO, immensely benefitting them at the cost of Indian refineries. To further substantiate, during 2009-10, India imported from Indonesia and Malaysia, 6.4 million tonnes of palm products, out of which Crude Palm Oil was 5.2 million tonnes and RBD palmolein 1.2 million tones. Currently, the tariff value on RBD palmolein for the purpose of calculating the custom duty is fixed at US$ 484 as against the current CIF price of at about US$ 1020. As a result, the effective rate of duty works out to about 3.5% against the intended import duty of 7.5% + 3% education cess = 7.73% . This is encouraging the import of refined oil, as against import of crude oils. In the process, the Government is also losing heavily on revenue collection. Large-scale imports of RBD palmolein will be detrimental to the interest of domestic refiners resulting in further decline in their capacity utilization leading to a situation of forcing them to close down. Also it is pertinent to note that the Government of India is promoting oil palm plantation by providing various subsidies. It is therefore imperative that oil palm growers get a fair price for their produce. With the threat of closure of Indian refineries there would be no takers for the crude palm oil produced domestically which in turn would become counter productive even for the oil palm farmers. To negate the impact of such a duty differential from Indonesia, we urge the Union Government to revise immediately the tariff value to be in line with the current market prices and also raise the import duty on RBD Palm olein from 7.5% to at least 16.5%. There is an urgent need to correct this anomaly by increasing the import duty on RBD palmolein and SEA urges the Central Government to consider immediately, the following: 1. Govt. of India may levy the same duty on import of Refined Edible Oil which is the export Duty being put on Crude Palm Oil by the Govt. of Indonesia i.e. 16.5%

Withdraw Export Duty on Deoiled Rice Bran In the last Union Budget, 10% export duty on deoiled rice bran was imposed, whilst simultaneously allowing duty free imports of such items. Export of deoiled rice bran forms a minuscule share of the overall availability of rice bran/deoiled rice bran. The total production of rice bran and deoiled rice bran in the country is about 80 lakh tonnes, out of which hardly 1.5 lakh tonnes valued at Rs.100.00 crore is being exported, mainly from Kolkata port in Eastern India. This is less than 2% of the total availability of rice bran and de-oiled bran. The major consuming centres for deoiled rice bran are in Western and Southern India, where dairy industry is fully developed. Although a leading producer of rice bran and deoiled rice bran, West Bengal has no dairies to consume even 25% of the production of deoiled rice bran. As a result, the solvent plants have to transport this product to the neighbouring States or export the same out of the country. High Railway freight discourages the transportation of deoiled rice bran from West Bengal to Western or Southern India, thereby compelling producers in Eastern India to export deoiled rice bran to neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. Deoiled rice bran, is produced as a by-product while processing rice bran to recover rice bran oil. Imposing of duty on DORB has also affected the rice milling industry in Eastern India, while bringing down its capacity utilization. Imposition of export duty on deoiled rice bran has not benefitted the dairy and poultry industry/feed manufacturers as is evident from the prevailing prices of eggs, milk and fodder in the country, after imposition of export duty. However, unfortunately, the solvent extraction industry of West Bengal has been badly affected due to this and its capacity utilization has drastically reduced due to lack of demand of deoiled rice bran in West Bengal as the dairy and poultry industry does not have the capacity to consume the total local production. West Bengal is the leading producer of paddy in the country and Rice bran is the primary raw material for the 35 solvent extraction plants in the state. In the absence of an adequate market for Deoiled Rice Bran, the plants cannot procure the rice bran from the rice mills, affecting their working and creating unemployment in the entire paddy processing chain the state of West Bengal. As per the forecast, this year the country will have a record rice production of 93.0 mnt, compared to 89.1 mnt last year and therefore availability of rice bran and deoiled rice bran

It is important to take note of the fact that India has refining capacity much in excess of the total imports of vegetable oils. Therefore any increase in the duty on RBD palmolein will not have any impact on the domestic prices, as larger volumes of CPO will be imported at zero percent duty.

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Cover Story would be much higher as compared to previous year for local consumption. The solvent extraction units in West Bengal are facing severe problem and most of them are closed or on verge of closure due to over stock of deoiled rice bran. In view of the reasons explained, SEA’s request to the Government is to review and withdraw the export duty on deoiled rice bran.

Dairy sector seeks Agri Status IDA’s Pre-budget Memorandum

onsidering its large potential to generate rural employment, the dairy sector has urged the government to grant to it the status of agriculture sector. Such a move, among other things, would enable this sector to avail itself of term loans from banks and financial institutions at a concessional rate of 4 per cent, which is currently available for the agriculture sector alone. In its pre-budget memorandum to the Union Finance Minister, the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) has also sought exemption of excise duty and value added tax (VAT) on equipment and machinery in a bid to promote the processing and packaging of milk in the country. Besides, the industry has demanded a uniform VAT rate on all milk products at 4 per cent, which could help drive consumption of such products. IDA believes that duty exemption on equipment and machinery would encourage more investments in processing and packaging of milk and milk products. Only 15 per cent of the milk produced in India is processed and packed, thereby leaving scope for adulteration, unhygienic handling and distribution. About 46 per cent of the milk produced in India is in liquid form. Alongside, the Association has suggested income tax exemption for cooperative unions at the district and State level to promote dairying in rural areas. In addition, all new dairies and cold chain that qualify for income tax exemption could be further exempted from the minimum alternate tax (MAT), which is about 20 per cent of the book profits. IDA also feels that fiscal incentives available for the food processing sector such as reduced excise and customs duties and income tax relief should be extended to the dairy sector. As cattle feed prices have shot up by over 40 per cent in the past one year due to hike in prices of oilmeals, deoiled cake and molasses, the IDA has suggested that VAT and other duties on molasses used in cattle feed could be abolished. Such a move would provide relief to the farmers. Another proposal of IDA is that the Government should fix a special quota for supply of molasses from sugar mills to the co-operative cattle feed plants. It has also suggested that export of all oilmeals should be discouraged by imposing an additional export duty of 20 per cent ad valorem.

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

Payment of Service Tax by Brokers Recently, Ministry of Finance amended the Point of Taxation Rules 2011 by Notification No.41/2011-Servicetax dated 27th June, 2011 by which brokers are liable to pay service tax on brokerage in the succeeding month. The brokers act as an intermediatory for selling or buying by the producers and issue the “Broker’s Note” on completion of the negotiation and charge a very nominal fee of 0.1 to 0.2% as his brokerage. As per the trade practice, the brokerage is paid on periodical basis i.e. once in 6 months or once in a year and not paid on contract-tocontract basis or completion of each contract. As per the new amendment Rules, the service tax is now to be paid immediately on completion of service, irrespective of receiving the brokerage/service tax from the parties concerned, which means that the service tax is to be paid on the service rendered even though brokerage is not being received by them. Further, in the event of any bad debts occurring, the service tax paid cannot be set-off against other payments by the broker. In view of stringent service tax requirements, enforcement of these amended rules would seriously hit the brokers’ community of the vegetable oil industry & trade, as edible oil and extraction trade is mostly on cash basis of accounting. In view of this, we request the Central Government to permit the payment of service tax by brokers on receipt basis as being allowed to Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Lawyers etc. who have been given exemption from this rules. Imports of Crude Palm Oil Drop Bond Condition Vanaspati and Vegetable oil Refiners are importing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) at nil rate of custom duty under S.No.30 Part II of the Notification No.21/2002-Customs dated 1.3.2002 as amended. However, the manufacturers are required to comply with the condition No.5 as mentioned in Column No.6. In other words, the procedure set out in the Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Customs Duty for Manufacture of Excisable Goods) Rules, 1996 has to be followed. Under the said rules, the importer is required to apply to jurisdictional Excise Department giving his requirements for import of palm oil and execute a bond equivalent to duty saved on the import. Only after the execution of the bond, the Excise Department endorses the application to Customs Department for importing crude palm oil at NIL duty. It may be noted that vide Notification No. 42/2008-Customs dated 1.4.2008, customs duty concessions were granted for all edible oils by amending the principal notification No.21/2002-Customs dated 1.3.2002 whereby Crude Oils

Cover Story (Edible Grade) attracted NIL rate of customs duty & Refined oils (Edible Grade) attract 7.5% customs duty. It may be mentioned that there is no condition stipulated for importing at NIL duty the crude soybean oil, crude sunflower oil, crude rapeseed oil, etc, Thus the manufacturers of vanaspati and refiners are incurring additional cost involved in executing the bond that too for a huge duty @ 85% only in case of import of crude palm oil as the duty specified at S.No.29 is still 85% in exclusion or all other crude edible oils, thereby providing a non-level playing field in the use of crude palm oil vis-à-vis other crude oils. The procedure for application with excise department is time consuming and many times import is held up due to unexpected delays. It may be relevant to mention here, no concessional rate of duty is applicable presently for manufacturers of vanaspati/ refiners as the duty on crude oil is itself NIL. Therefore, in the absence of any concessional rate of duty there is no rationale for imposing condition No. 5. In other words, there is no justification for following Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Custom Duty for Manufacture of Excisable Goods) Rules, 1996. SEA, therefore request the Government to withdraw the condition No.5 as specified in column No.6 under S.No. 30(II) A of Notification No. 21/2002-Customs dated 1.3.20902 as amended upto date. Grant General Exemption to Vegetable Oil Refining Industry from the excise duty At present refined vegetable oils and vanaspati are liable to nil rate of excise duty, so the by-products of this industry are not liable for excise duty by virtue of notification No. 89/95-C.E. dated 18th May, 1995. But still excise authorities at some of the places are demanding excise on these by-products. To settle this controversy, general exemption from excise duty may be granted to “Refining of Vegetable oils and manufacture of vanaspati”. Grant Excise Exemption to encourage value-addition in Rice Bran Oil Processing Refined Rice Bran Oil is used as a premium cooking oil in countries like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand & U.S.A. Besides refined rice bran oil, a number of value-added products including nutraceuticals are produced from the by-products generated during the refining of rice bran oil. Although India is the second largest producer of paddy in the world, the concept of production of value added products is in the infancy stages in the country. It needs to be encouraged through appropriate policy measures. At present most of these products attract excise duty @ 16%. There is an urgent need to grant general exemption from excise to “Refining of Rice Bran Oil & Processing of its By-Products” to encourage value-addition in this area. Excise Exemption on Food Grade Hexane The Solvent Extraction Industry uses food grade hexane (2710.12) to process oilseeds & oil bearing material to recover

vegetable oil and residual product called oilmeal is either consumed locally or exported for cattle/poultry feeds. The industry consumes about 120,000 KL of food grade hexane per annum. Earlier, the solvent extraction industry was exempted from paying excise duty on food grade hexane under L6 License up to March 1994. Subsequently, this exemption was withdrawn and excise duty of 32% was levied which was reduced to 16 percent in July, 2004. Currently, 14% excise duty plus 3% education cess is levied on food grade hexane. The solvent extraction industry is an Agro Food processing and export oriented industry, identified as thrust area by the Government of India. Oilmeals export is earning over Rs. 8,000 crore of foreign exchange per annum and facing stiff competition in the international market. It could be given some support by restoring exemption on food grade hexane from excise duty. It is, therefore, suggested that food grade hexane (No. 2710.12) used in the processing of oilseed and oil bearing material, be exempted from the purview of excise duty or reduce excise duty to 8% from the present level of 14%. Edible Oil & Oilseeds –Exempt or Tax at Lower Rate under Proposed GST The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers is in the process of finalising the tax rates under proposed ‘Goods and Service Tax (GST) which will integrate most of the existing indirect taxes prevailing in the country. Edible Oil, an essential commodity, is used by all strata of population as a cooking medium across the country. The essential commodities are highly price sensitive and any inflationary impact is immediately reflected in the Consumer Price Index, apart from creating a problem of adulteration in the country. We understand that two tax rates structure is being contemplated under GST i.e., a lower rate for certain essential goods and standard rate for others. The edible oil & oilseeds deserve to be classified under lower rate as this price sensitive essential commodity affects every common man’s pocket. Moreover, edible oil, being an agro based product, impacts the lives of a large number of farmers who are involved in agriculture. SEA therefore request the Government that the sensitive essential items of mass consumption like edible oils & oilseeds should be either exempted or taxed at lower rate under the proposed GST structure and it should be the same for all States. Input Tax be VATable The consumables used by the vegetable oil processing / refining industry attract VAT and many states do not permit credit of such VAT, because consumables are not treated as inputs. Consumables such as coal, fuel oil, diesel etc. are directly used in the process of manufacturing and hence should be treated as inputs and credit of VAT paid on these items should be permitted. n

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Research

Oil Uptake and Thermal Stability of Oils & Fats during Frying & Heating â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rekha B, Sukumar Debnath, B R Lokesh and A G Gopala Krishna Department of Lipid Science and Traditional Foods, Central Food Technology Research Institute (CSIR), Mysore

Groundnut oil (GNO), coconut oil (CNO) palm oil (PO); rice bran oil (RBO) and ghee (milk fat) differing in fatty acid chain length (short, medium and long), saponification value (177-261) and viscosity (19.3 - 28.7 cP), were investigated for changes in thermal stability during deep fat frying of poori, (an Indian fried food) at 1800C as well as during static heating at 120Â°C. Moisture content and oil uptake of poori determined along with other parameters did not show significant change (15.6 -17.5%; 24.0 - 25.9%) indicating that the oils containing short chain fatty acids with a higher saponification value (250-261) and long chain fatty acids with a lesser saponification value (177-199) showed almost similar oil uptake (25.5 -25.8%, 24 -25.9%). Similarly, the static heated oils showed that peroxide value increased with heating period while free fatty acid value did not show much change. Oils containing unsaturated fatty acids showed a higher level of total polar matters although negligible changes were observed in fatty acid composition compared to respective fresh oils.

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

Research

xidation of lipids is a subject of intense research. The term oxidative stability is more general and is distinguished from the term storage stability since the oxidation may not only take place during storage but also can happen during production and use. The oxidative stability of vegetable oils is deterÂŹmined in a complex way by their fatty acid composition and tocopherol content. Continuous exposure of oil to air and light enhances the oxidative changes in the. oil and these changes become very fast in the frying oil. Prolonged exposure of oil to air and light initiates deteriorative changes in the oil owing to the oxidation even at close to room temperature (300C). Deterioration rate becomes very fast in frying oil not only owing to oxidation, but also due to hydrolysis. Heating in the presence of air causes partial conversion of fats and oils to volatile short chain-scission products, non-volatile oxidized derivatives, and dimeric, polymeric or cyclic substances. Deep fat frying can be defined as the process of cooking and drying through contact with the hot oil. It is a process of simultaneous heat and mass transfer. Heat is transferred from the oil to the food, which results in the cooking of food and evaporation of water from the food; which results in the simultaneous absorption of oil by the food. The mechanism of oil infiltration is still not fully understood. Although several researchers have described the moisture transport as diffusion controlled mechanism, it is still not clear how and when the product absorbs the oil. Since no information is available on the uptake of fat by the fried product and thermal deterioration in relation to the type of oil used, differing in viscosity, fatty acid chain length and saponification value, the present work has been carried out. The study was designed to follow the uptake of fat and its deterioration during frying and also when exposed to high temperature. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials Vegetable oils differing in saponification value and viscosity, such as groundnut oil (GNO), rice bran oil

In deep frying, heat is transferred from the oil to the food, which results in the cooking of food and evaporation of water from the food, resulting in the simultaneous absorption of oil by the food. The mechanism of oil infiltration is still not fully understood

(RBO), palm oil (PO), coconut oil (CNO) and ghee (milk fat) were purchased from ,local super market. The reagents used were of analytical grade. Methods Physico-chemical characteristics: Physico-chemical characteristics such as colour of the oils was measured using Lovibond Tintometer in a 1-inch cell on a Lovibond scale in transmittance mode and expressed as (5R+Y) units. Peroxide value (PV) (Cd 8-53), free fatty acid value (FFA) (Ca 5a-40) and saponification value (SV) (Ca 6a42) were determined using standard methods of the AOCS. Total polar matter (TPM) of the oils was measured using Fricheck instrument (Grote Bean 375, B2235 HULSHOUT, Belgium). For this purpose, about 20 ml of the oil sample was loaded into the cell and the instrument reading obtained after 300 seconds was taken as the total polar matter of the sample. Viscosity of the oils was measured using an Ostwald viscometer U tube type E at 400C. Fatty acid composition of the oils was determined as their methyl esters by the AOCS (Ce 1-62) procedure on a Gas Chromatograph (Model GC-15A, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with data processor (model

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Research CR-4A), a flame ionization detector (FID) and fitted with a stainless steel column (3 m length x 0.5 mm i.d.) packed with 15% diethylene glycol succinate (DEGS) supported on 60-80 mesh Chromosorb WAW. The equipment was operated under the following conditions: nitrogen flow 40 mil min; hydrogen flow 40 ml/min; air flow 300 ml/min; column temperature 1800C; injector temperature 2200C; and detector temperature 2300C. The fatty acids were identified by comparison with the retention times of standard fatty acid methyl esters. The content of saturates, monounsaturates and polyunsaturates were calculated from the fatty acid composition of individual oils. Thermal stability studies: The thermal stability of individual oils such as GNO, CNO, PO, RBO, ghee (milk fat) were evaluated by heating the oils at 1200C for 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 24 hour. The samples 15ml taken in petri dishes (45 mm x 13 mm i.d.) were evaluated for changes in colour, peroxide value, free fatty acids content and total polar matter and fatty acid composition. Frying studies: Traditional food, poori was chosen for - the frying study in different oils. The dough was prepared by mixing equal quantity of wheat

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Physico-chemical characteristics of oils used: Table 1 provides the physicochemical characteristics of oils used in this study. Saponification value ranged from 177-261: GNO (180), RBO (177), PO (199), CNO (261) and ghee (250) which agrees with earlier reports. Among the oils, GNO, PO, and RBO had more long chain fatty acids (carbon No.>12 =100%) whereas CNO had medium and long’ chain fatty acids (carbon No.6 -12 = 58.9% and carbon No.>12 = 41.1%) and ghee had long chain, medium chain and short chain fatty acids (carbon No. <6 = 6.2%, carbon No. 6-12 = 20.7% and carbon No. > 12 = 71.3%). Colour values of GNO (14.5), PO (15.0), and RBO (14.0) were almost similar. CNO (2.0) had the least colour value whereas ghee had the highest value (40.0). Oils such as PO, GNO and ghee contain small amount of carotenoids which impart colour to these oils. Rice bran oil contains chlorophyll apart from carotenoids in small amounts. Since coconut oil is devoid of any pigments its colour value was the least. Peroxide value of oils is an important parameter for oil quality and stability. In this study, peroxide value of fresh GNO, CNO, PO, RBO and ghee were 4.5,

semolina (maida) and wheat flour with 60% of water and 2% of salt on flour basis. The dough of 20 g was sheeted into a circular shape by mechanical sheeting apparatus to about 10 cm diameter and 1-2 mm thickness. One sheet of dough was fried in the oils at 180±20C for 2 min. Twenty such fryings were carried out for a total duration of 60 min. Frying was carried out in a stainless steel pan (23.5 cm diameter x 8 cm height) using 950 ml of different oils viz., GNO, RBO, PO, CNO and Ghee. The temperature of oil during deep frying was regulated with the help of an electronic temperature recorder. The moisture content of poori was estimated by the oven method (Ca 2c-25) by drying the samples at 1050C for 24 hour or till constant weight was obtained. Oil uptake by poori was estimated using the dry sample obtained af¬ter moisture determination, by Soxhlet extrac¬tion with hexane (Bc 3-49) and expressed on a percent dry basis. Statistical Analysis: All experiments were carried out in duplicate or triplicate. Data were analyzed by t-test for comparison of means using Microsoft Excel for statistical significance. A value pd”0.05 was considered significant.

Table 1: Physico-chemical Characteristics of the Oils Used in the Study Characteristic

GNO

CNO

RBO

Ghee

Chain length (%)

Long

Medium+long

Long

Short+medium+

(100)

(58.9 + 41.1)

(0.2 + 99.8)

(100)

long (6.2 + 20.7 +71.6)

Saponification value

180

261

199

177

250

Peroxide value

10.4±0.02

0.31±0.01

1.9±0.01 3.3±0.01

Colour (5R+Y)

13±0.4

0.4±0.3

15±0.8

14±0.4 40.5±0.2

Free fatty acids value

1.07±0.01

0.1±0.02

0.44±0.04

0.25±0.01

Total Polar matter (%)

2.4±0.1

0 3.0±0.2

7.7±0.5 3.1±0.1

Viscosity (cPs)

26.1±0.2

19.3±0.2

28.7±0.1

27.9±0.2

24.2±0.4

SFA (%)

22.7±0.8

90.1±0.5 47.1±0.9

20.8±0.6

66.5±0.7

MUFA (%) 43.3±0.7

7.4±0.8 42.0±0.2 42.9±0.8

29.4±0.6

PUFA(%) 32.8±0.7

2.4±0.6

1 0.9±0.9 36.3±0.6 3.3±0.8

SFA/USFA ratio

9.1

0.89

0.29

0.26

GNO-groundnut oil, CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO-rice bran oil. The values are mean = S. D of triplicate analysis Short chain < C6’ medium chain-C6 –C12’ long chain > C12’ SFA-Saturated fatty acids: MUFA-monounsaturated fatty acids; PUFA-polyunsaturated fatty acids; USFA-unsaturated fatty acids. 12

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

5.1±0.02 0.18±0.01

2.03

Research 0.8, 1.9, 2.6, and 6.0 meq.O2/kg of oil, respectively. Free fatty acid contents were less than 1% for the oils except GNO which was 1.1%. Generally, the total polar matter indicates the degree of polymerisation of oxidized fat and formation of dimmers or poly¬mers with or without oxygen. However, the fresh oils used in the study showed TPM values of GNO (2.4%), CNO (0%), PO (3%), RBO (7.7%) and ghee (3.1%), where CNO did not show any TPM and RBO had the maximum compared to all other oils used in the study. The reason for this is not known and probably the polar compounds present in the fresh oil such as the unsaponifiable matter components are responsible for such a higher value. The TPM in increasing order are: CNO (0%) < GNO (2.4%) < PO (3%) d” Ghee (3.1%) < RBO (7.5%) and the unsaponifiable matter of the oils in increas¬ing order are: CNO (0.10%) < PO (0.23%) < GNO (0.60%) < Ghee (0.59%) < RBO (3.67%) which show some correlation. Generally, the viscosity of oil is affected by fatty acid chain length, and saturation. Oils, rich in unsatur¬ated fatty acids, such as GNO, PO, and RBO had a higher viscosity of 26.1, 28.7, and 27.9 cPs, respectively compared to CNO, rich in medium chain saturated fatty acids, with a low viscosity of 19.3 cPs whereas ghee which is rich in long chain saturated fatty acids showed a lower viscosity of 24.2 cPs compared to GNO probably because in addition, it also contains short and medium chain fatty acids. Moisture and fat contents of poori: Moisture and fat contents of poori fried in different. vegetable oils are reported in Table 2. Table 2: Moisture and Fat Content of Poori Fried in Different Oils Oil

Moisture content (%)

Fat content (% dry basis)

GNO

17.5±0.40

23.9±0.42a

CNO

15.6±0.65

25.6±0.15b

16.7±0.37

25.8±1.44b

RBO

16.5±0.71

25.9±0.52b

Ghee

16.0±1.51

25.5±0.95b

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil: PO-palm oil; RBO-rice bran oil

The value are mean ± S.D of triplicate analysis. There was no significant difference between means at pd” 0.05. The wheat flour dough contained 60% moisture which after frying showed moisture content of 15.6 -17.5% in the poori The fat content ranged from 24.0 25.9% indicating no significant difference (p<0.05) in oil uptake for the different oils studied. Therefore, the amount of frying oil or fat absorbed by a fried product does not depend on the fatty acid chain length or the type of fatty acid present in the triglyceride make up of the oil and hence the saponification value of the oil used for frying of the food product. This implies that the oil uptake is independent of the type of fatty acids present in the oil. Typical moisture and fat content of US fried foods are reported with a high fat content for low moisture fried product and a low fat content for high moisture fried product. In the present study also we found a fat content equivalent to the moisture content of the fried food reported in the literature. Changes in free fatty acid value: The FFA value of heated and fried oils is reported in Table 3. FF A content of the studied oils showed negligible changes after frying. The reason could be that a period of 1 h frying is too short a time to expect higher amounts of free fatty acid formation under the frying conditions used in the study of this product, poori. During the heating experiments, the oils used in the study showed a small change (increase/ decrease) in the free fatty acids content, GNO showed the highest increase of 53.3%, PO, 13.6% decrease; RBO, 24% increase; CNO, 19.6% increase; and ghee, 22.2% decrease. Long chain fatty acids containing GNO showed a higher increase in the free fatty acids value when compared to other oils. This is because, the starting oil had a higher FFA value as it was unrefined oil and upon heating, the FFA value increased further. Changes in peroxide value: The peroxide value of heated and fried oils is given in Table 4. Ghee and CNO showed a mere 20% and 62.5% increase, while RBO, GNO, and PO showed a substantial

169.2%, 186.6% and 268.4% increase over their starting values respectively. Probably, this is due to the presence of higher amounts of saturated fatty acids in ghee, CNO and a higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the other oils studied. Thus, the peroxide value of PO showed a higher value than other oils studied. The reason for a high oleic oil such as PO to show high PV could be that the peroxides of oleic acid rich PO may be more stable at high temperatures such as during frying/ heating than the peroxides formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids present in other oils studied showing lower values due to decomposition. Changes in peroxide value of ghee was very less at 22.1 % increase at the end of 8 hour and the value decreased slightly by 8.4% from that of starting value at the end of 24h of heating. Ghee did not show much change in PV probably due to lesser amount of PUFA. CNO had a lower starting PV of 0.31 and rose to 2.0 showing 545% increase although it had saturated fatty acids. However, when the starting values were lower, even small changes are going to give a large percentage increase for any oil which is the case with CNO. The PV for PO showed steady increase in the value throughout the heating period and it increased from 1.9 to 28.9 meq. O2/kg (1422.63% increase) Sand showed the highest rate of oxidation than all other oils studied. RBO showed a gradual increase in PV up to 8 hour of the heating period and later it showed an increase of 293.65% of the starting oil. Peroxide value of GNO showed 342.2% increase at the end 24 hour heating which had a higher starting PV of 10.4 which rose to 45.9 meq O2/kg and it was most prone to oxidation. The peroxides/hydroperoxides are unstable at high temperatures such as during deep frying conditions, or during heating and as the oil deterioration continues the hydroperoxide decomposes forming carbonyl and aldehyde compounds causing peroxide value to decrease or to show a steady increase in the value due to the catalyzing effect of break down products. From the study it was observed that the PO showed the maximum changes in the peroxide value

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Research when compared to other oils used in the study. PO has long chain fatty acids and less of unsaturation and more natural antioxidants and hence is expected to be more stable compared to other oils, but it was less stable and the reason is not understood. CNO though having around 93% of SFA, it also showed an increase in the peroxide value which is taken as not a big change as the starting peroxide value was low and hence may not be due to deterioration of the fat. However, peroxide value alone is not a suitable parameter to assess the extent of fats and oils deterioration because hydroperoxides are unstable at high temperatures such as during deep fat frying or during thermal stability studies. Hence, other parameters such as darkening of colour and total polar matter levels were also examined (see later).

oil are given in Table 5. A trend was observed in the increase of the colour upon heating. Colour increase in RBO was significant. CNO had the lightest and ghee had the darkest final oil colour. Among the oils used in this study, colour value of GNO showed a 19.2% increase after 1 hour frying. CNO and ghee showed 20% and 25% increase, while for PO 50% increase was observed, which was slightly higher, and for RBO it was 82.1% which was the highest among the oils used in the study. The reason for this could be due to high temperature reaction between the endogenous oil components present in RBO such as partial glycerides (7%), oryzanol at 1.2% and unsaponifiable matter (3.5 - 4.5%) components. Darkening of RBO during processing has been reported

Table 3: FFA Content of Oils Before and After Heating or Frying Poori Heating (hr)

GNO

CNO

PO RBO

Ghee

1.07±0.01

0.1±0.02

0.44±0.04

0.25±0.01

0.18±0.01

1.02±0.01

0.08±0.01

0.33±0.01

0.26±0.01

0.18±0.01

1.12±0.02

0.09±0.01

0.34±0.01

0.26±0.01

0.14±0.01

1.64±0.02

0.12±0.02

0.38±0.01

0.31±0.01

0.14±0.01

Frying (1 hr)

1.1±0.01

0.19±0.01

0.60±0.01

0.30±0.02

0.18±0.10

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO-Rice bran oil The value are mean ± S.D.; of triplicate analysis. Changes in colour: The colour of the oil is influenced by a number of factors and the food product used for frying. Food compo¬nents such as proteins, free sugars, phenolics interact with oil and oil degradation products to form coloured constituents. The colour is not only an indicator for oil’s aesthetic quality but also indicates its deterioration. The colour values of the heated and the fried

in the literature and attributed to the oxidation of the monoglycerides present in RBO. GNO was almost stable with only 7.1 % increase in colour after 24 hour of heating, PO showed 13.33% increase, while ghee showed a higher colour increase of 72.8% after 24 hour of heating. RBO showed increase in colour up to 10 hour and later on stabilized. At the end of 24 hour of heating, it

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

increased to 221.1% of the starting value. Presence of minor components in the oil may be one of the factors responsible for the increase in colour of the oil. CNO showed 400% increase after 24 hour of heating. Though the starting colour values for CNO (2.0) (Table 1) was low when compared to other oils, viz., GNO (14.5), RBO (14.0) and ghee (40.0), the percentage increase was very high for CNO with respect to other oils studied but there shall be no impact of this due to a low value even after heating which changed to 5.5 units. This showed that the changes in the colour of the oils were dependent on the initial high colour values and is independent of the viscosity, fatty acid chain length and the saponification value and probably, dependent on the unsaturated fatty acid content of the oil. The study also indicated that the high temperature of frying or that of heating was responsible for increase in colour values in this study and not the reaction between food components and the hot oil. Effect of saponification value: Higher SV for ghee (250), CNO (261) is also indicative of higher stability of the oil due to the presence of short chain and medium chain fatty acids. For normal vegetable oils having lower SV (177199), the presence of unsaturated fatty acids and natural antioxidants decide the stability of the oil during heating or frying such as in the present study. A small increase in SV with increase in the thermal abuse of the oils and fats has been reported in the literature. This may be due to the formation of a comparatively larger number of nonvolatile secondary oxidation products with a short chain (e.g. oxidized short

Research Table 4: Peroxide Value of Oils before and after Heating or Frying Poori Heating (hr)

GNO

CNO

10.4±0.02

0.31±0.01

1.9±0.01 3.3±0.01

5.1±0.02

10.5±0.01

0.4±0.01 3.0±0.01 3.4±0.01

6.3±0.01

13.0±0.01

0.4: ±0.05 4.6±0.01 4.0±0.02

6.2±0.01

15.0+0.03

0.4+0.01

10.1+0.02

6.0+0.01

6.2+0.01

21.9±0.01

0.5±0.01

20.6±0.01

12.1±0.01

6.2±0.03

23.3±0.02

0.2±0.05

20.8±0.01

12±0.02 4.1±0.01

24 45.9±0.01

2.0±0.01

28.9±0.01

13.0±0.01 4.7±0.02

Frying (1 hr)

1.3±0.02

7.0±0.1

12.9±0.1

RBO

Ghee

6.3±0.01

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO-rice bran oil The value are mean ± S.D. of triplicate samples. chain fatty acid containing glycerides) compared t9 the starting long chain fatty acid chain. Effect of fatty acid chain length: The oils studied were from short and medium chain length (ghee, CNO) and long chain fatty acids (PO, GNO, RBO). The oil uptake by the fried product, poori was uniform at 24-25.9% (Table 1) although was statistically significant, showed a

negligibly small change of 4.4-6.7% when compared to GNO and hence was independent of the fatty acid chain length among the different oils studied. Changes in total polar matter: The quantity of TPM is one of the most reliable criteria for the assessment of frying oil quality for human consumption. Research has shown that the fraction of polar compounds isolated from oxidized oil is very toxic to laboratory animals.

Table 5: Colour Value of Oils before and after Heating or Frying Poori Heating (hr)

GNO

CNO

RBO

13±0.4

0.4±0.3

15±0.8

14±0.4 40.5±0.2

14±0.1

0.4±0.1

15±0.3

20±0.1 40.5±0.1

14±0.2

0.4±0.2

15±0.1

20±0.1

50±0.6

14±0.1

0.4±0.1

15±0.1 30±0.1

50±0.2

14±0.2

0.5±0.1

17±0.1 45±0.1

50±0.1

15±0.2

0.2±0.3

17.5±0.2 45±0.2

60±0.3

15±0.2

2±0.3

17±0.1 45±0.6

70±0.2

Frying (1 hr)

15.5±0.2

2.4±0.1

15.5±0.2

50±0.2

25.5±0.1

Ghee

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO- rice bran oil The values are mean ± S.D. of triplicate analysis Table 6: Total Polar Matter Content of Oils before and after Heating Heating period (hr)

GNO

CNO

RBO

2.4

0 3.0

7.7 3.1

2.5

0 3.1

7.4 3.2

2.9

0 3.7

7.7 3.7

8.4

0 4.4

11.0 4.5

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO- rice bran oil The values are mean ± S.D. of triplicate analysis

Ghee

The quantity of total polar matter is one of the most reliable criteria for the assessment of frying oil quality for human consumption. Research has shown that the fraction of polar compounds isolated from oxidized oil is very toxic to laboratory animals In many European countries the regulatory limit for the assessment of the end point of the frying oil is a level of 25% of the total polar matter. Change in the TPM is given in Table 6. RBO had the highest starting value of TPM of 7.5% and CNO with zero value the lowest among the oils studied. CNO did not show any total polar matter, this may be due to the very little amount of unsaponifiable matter and unsaturated fatty acids present in it. Ghee showed 40.6% increase in TPM and that of RBO increased by 47.1% of the starting value at the end of 24 hour heating. PO showed 46.7% increase, which was almost similar to that of RBO, but the initial value of the RBO was higher than that of PO. GNO showed 250% increase at the end of 24 hour. In case of RBO and PO, the starting value for total polar matter itself was high due to the presence of endogenous compounds which are polar in nature, and should not be mistaken for the total polar matter formed due to oxidation. In general, oils with higher level of unsaturation produced high total polar matter components (compare saturated fat CNO and unsaturated oil GNO) than less unsaturated oils. RBO and GNO are having almost similar saponification value and long chain fatty acids, but still there was much difference in TPM increase due to the presence of natural antioxidants as minor components in RBO which are absent in GNO.

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Research Table 7: Saturated (SFA), Monounsaturated (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated (PUFA) Fatty Acids Contents of Vegetable Oils Used in the Study Oil

SFA (%)

MUFA (%)

PUFA (%)

SFA/USFA

GNO Fresh

22.7±0.8 43.3±0.7 32.8±0.7

0.20

Heated (24 hr) Fried (1 hr)

22.0±0.5 43.8±0.5 31.2±0.6 24.2±0.4 44.6±0.6 32.3±0.4

0.29 0.32

CNO Fresh 90.1±0.5 7.4±0.8 2.4±0.8 Heated (24 hr) 91.3±0.8 6.8±0.6 1.8±0.5 Fried (1 hr) 91.5±0.6 6.5±0.7 1.9±0.6

9.1 10.5 10.8

PO Fresh 47.1±0.9 42.0±0.2 10.9±0.9

0.89

Heated (24 hr)

9.9±0.6

1.06

11.0+0.8

0.89

RBO Fresh 20.8±0.6 42.9±0.8 36.3±0.6 Heated (24 hr) 21.3±0.5 43.3±0.5 35.3±0.5 Fried (1 hr) 20.6±0.2 42.0±0.4 36.4±0.8

0.26 0.27 0.26

Ghee Fresh 66.5±0.7 29.4±0.6 3.3±0.8 Heated (24 hr) 70.2±0.5 23.6±0.7 1.3±0.6 Fried (1 hr) 74.2±0.5 23.6±0.7 1.3±0.6

2.03 20.49 2.97

51.5±0.7 38.6±0.5

Fried (1 hr) 46.9±0.8 42.1±0.8

GNO-groundnut oil; CNO-coconut oil; PO-palm oil; RBO- rice bran oil The values are mean ± S.D. of triplicate analysis Poori was fried for 1 hour at 1800 C whereas heating of the oils was carried out up to 24 hour at 1200C Effect of viscosity: The oils used for frying’ differed in viscosity as determined by the Ostwald viscometer method: PO, 28.7 cPs; RBO, 27.9 cPs; ghee, 24.2 cPs; GNO, 26.1 cPs; CNO, 19.3 cPs. The fat content of poori prepared by frying in different oils were: PO, 25.8%; RBO, 25.9%; ghee, 25.5%; GNO, 24.0%; CNO, 25.6%. The fat uptake values were statistically not significant and hence it can be inferred that there was only minor change in the oil uptake by the fried product, poori irrespective of the viscosity of the oil used for frying. Changes in Fatty Acid Composition: The fatty acid composition of fresh, heated (24 hour) and fried (1 hour) oil samples of RBO, GNO, PO, CNO and ghee is shown in Table 7 which indicated that all the oils underwent minimum deterioration during heating or frying. Ghee, CNO, PO showed a small increase in SFA (Saturated Fatty Acid) content after frying. RBO and GNO showed a smart increase in MUFA (Monounsaturated 16

Fatty Acid) content due to a small decrease in PUFA content. The changes in PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) content after heating or frying of studied vegetable oils was very negligible when compared to the PUFA content present in respective fresh oils. Similar results of a very small change in the fatty acid composition have been reported in the literature during frying of potato chips in groundnut oil and mustard oil. RBO and, PO also possess natural antioxidants viz., oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols (in RBO), and a carotene, tocopherols and tocotrienols (in PO). CNO and ghee showed least changes in the fatty acid composition as they had a higher amount of saturated fatty acids content compared to oils such as GNO, RBO and PO. Heat Effect on Oils It can be concluded from the study that exposure of oil to high temperature during static heating for 24 hour caused changes that were similar or equal to 1

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

hour frying of poori, with regard to the thermal and oxidative degradation of the different oils studied. Irrespective of the content of natural antioxidants, stability of the oil was found to depend on the amount of + saturated fatty acid composition of the oil. Among the five oils studied, CNO was the most stable oil due to the presence of maximum amount of saturated fatty acids and a mere 7% of unsaturated fatty acids, while ghee and PO were also more stable oils due to the presence of maximum amount of short chain fatty acids and long chain saturated fatty acids respectively containing lesser amount of PUFA in them. But RBO and GNO had a higher amount of unsaturated fatty acid content and was more susceptible for oxidative deterioration. Among the two oils, RBO was more stable to heat compared to GNO and is ascribed to the presence of some Inherent components like oryzanol, higner amounts of unsaponifiable matter components, which provide stability to the oil at high temperatures and are not found in GNO. A higher saponification value oil containing short chain and medium chain fatty acids did not lower fat uptake by the fried product poori. A high viscosity oil containing either short and long chain, fatty acids (ghee) or an oil with long chain fatty acids(GNO/ RBO) showed almost similar fat uptake indicating that viscosity, saponification value or fatty acid chain length does not have any effect on oil uptake by the fried product, poori. Hence it may be concluded from the study that under uniform frying conditions, the moisture and fat uptake by poori remained almost the same irrespective of the characteristics of the oil like fatty acid chain length, viscosity and saponification value. n

The authors are thankful to Dr. V. Prakash, Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore for providing infrastructure facilities and encouragement to carry out this research

Technology

Oil Seeds Processing

Productivity is Attributable to Cutting Edge Technology — Dr. J.S. Chaudhuri, Tej Oil Extraction Techniques, Address Tech Solutions (P) Ltd., Dewas

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of Commitment to Excellence, Intelligent Planning, and Focused Effort - Paul J. Meyer

There has been a revolution in the technological development in last one and half decade. Today technology is an integral part of any business because it makes a task easier, quicker, more efficient, and better. Continuous improvement is a long-term business strategy to improve the business in terms of customer value and satisfaction, quality, speed to market, flexibility and reduced cost. In the economic situation most businesses are facing today, many are looking at shortterm strategies just to survive. Therefore, how one can balance the current realities with the need to pursue continuous improvement initiatives for the future, is a difficult question to answer. This is not an easy dilemma to resolve but what is clear from looking at the history of successful companies is that long-term strategies, such as continuous improvement, cannot be ignored if future growth and success for the business is the objective because superior technology and rapid progress go hand in hand to satisfy new and diverse application requirement of the customers. Therefore the field of technology is constantly expanding, almost at an exponential rate and help business remain up-to-date, drive business forward, sustain and survive competition. The problems faced by the oil

extraction industry could be attributed due to the age old traditional technology and certain other reasons as follows: Designing Faults l Faulty Layouts and insufficient Space i.e. building dimensions- Cutting the foot to fit the shoe l Faulty Selection-Motor HP, Gearbox, Size of the Equipment & machines in relation to the capacity requirementIgnorance l Fixed Mindset l Material Faults l Limitation of Technology l Limited Resources l Manufacturing Defects and Poor Workmanship l Instrumentation & Automation l Operational Induced Faults-Loads, Misalignment, Lubrication, Improper settings & clearances. When one or two or more faults mentioned above combine they result in l More Breakdowns-no timely deliveries of goods l More Shutdowns-less production hours l More Maintenance-less production hours l More chances of accidents-Due to

l l l l

fatigue, tension, production pressurerepeated work and work balance life More Quality Defects-more rework More Rejection-more rework More Hefty Power, n-Hexane and Fuel Bills-more production cost More operators fatigues-due to occupational ergonomics/and doing things time and again More Headaches-less comfort Less efficiency-more production cost Less Productivity-less growth Less bottom line-less gains and less progress

Low yield per hectare, excess installed crushing capacity, entry of MNC’s like ADM, Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus, increased upfront cost of seed and impact of international marketing pattern on the trade has made oil seeds crushing “A Seasonal Opportunity” especially in India. All the processors are interested to crush more and more seeds in season. To achieve the maximum productivity one should understand that in crushing oil seeds, every step of production process feeds the next. A conveyor or an elevator failure in any part of the plant can be catastrophic, meaning total shut down while you expect that your operations

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Technology must run smoothly. For that to happen you need a cutting edge technology that gets driving excellence in conveying systems and other equipment and machines thatare used in grains, cereals and oil seed processing industries. In my 41 years of experience, I have observed that if one keeps the records and calculates the time of breakdowns and shutdowns due to the failures and rectifying the faults of any system the time wasted in conveying and elevating systems is higher than the ‘other equipment and machines. We put the ordinary system and use the substandard material for extraordinary applications. There is a vast difference in what we use {practice and what should be used; what we do what should be done. One thing very peculiar that has been observed the same chain is being used irrespective of the conveying lengths and tonnage of the material to be conveyed without calculating its loads and strength. A 500/600 mm wide trough of conveyors is in use just to carry hardly 10 to 15 tons of material per hour. Same material of the conveyors and chain irrespective of its mechanical properties is being used without considering the nature of material. No relation is observed in between the horse power used and the tonnage to be conveyed; Conveyor speed per minute and tonnage; Width of the conveyor and the tonnage; Angle of the conveyor and horse power; Angle of the conveyor and the type of the conveyor; angle of the conveyor and the characteristics of the material to be conveyed. The following innovative developments in conveying and certain other processing equipment and machines will help increase Productivity and open a Gateway to the Growth. Conveyors Casings Selecting the right alloy for a part requires balancing material properties. The wear resistance of a casing is proportional to its hardness i.e. harder a casing is the better it will resist abrasive wear. Now a day’s UHMWPE is used in conveyors as a liners but it has many limitations of temperature and at joints of conveyors, as it is very difficult to make perfect joints. It cannot be used where temperature is more than 60 degree centigrade as it is deformed due to more 18

difference in the coefficient of linear expansion of UHMWPE and other metals and worn out soon. Also it does not with stand for longer period when there is more quantity of sand, stones and mud in the seeds. Also improper fittings at joints create many problems, which reduce its life, increase breakdowns and shutdowns as the liner is lifted, ups by the force of seeds and refractions making the surface uneven and wear out soon. Also the lifted liners in the bottom and in the sides’ en massed the chain and become the reason of breakdown.

Pic.1: Bent UHMWPE in used in convey or trough

To overcome the problems as mentioned above and considering the above limitations of UHMWPE and fast wearing out of MS plates we have adopted the use of wear resistance plates/ sheets in the casing of conveyors. We import the alloy steel of the hardness 400/500 BHN which is 4 to 5 time harder than Mild Steel and is suitable for such applications and increase the life 5 to 6 times than that of MS plates/sheets and runs trouble free for many years without maintenance. The traditional system of fixing the rail in the center of drag conveyor is responsible for the fast erosion of bushes of the link of the chain due to metal-tometal contact in between rail and bush and results in the frequent replacement of the bush and rail. Our new design of the trough of the conveyor and location of the rail prevent this from happening and thus increase the life of the rail and conveyor chain.

Pic.2: Lifted and worn out UHMWPE in trough

Pic. 6: Conveyor trough-side rails & hard plate top and side view

Pic. 3: Chain bent by the gap in UHMWPE gap

Pic.7:Conveyor trough front view-round linkc chain Pic.4: Faulty design-not bolted at proper distance

Pic. 5: Worn out rollers and bearing due to temperature and moisture

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

Pic.8:Conveyor trough front view-with forget chain

Technology

Pic. 9: Chain link coming out due to improper design

Pic. 10: Chain made out by casting with blow holes

“

Pic. 11: Ordinary bushes-premature worn out

Pic. 12: Chain link premature breaking due to wrong design

A conveyor or an elevator failure

Pic. 13: Forged Round Link HRC:55, T.S, P102-150 KN

in any part of the plant can be catastrophic, meaning total shut down while you

Pic. 14: Forged Link Chain HRC: 55, T.S, P142-300 KN

expect that your operations must run smoothly.

“

Conveying Chains A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Therefore for the selection of the chain uttermost care has to be taken and one should keep in the mind long-term perspective not the immediate savings. A hardness of 55-¬58 RC is sufficient for grain handling conveyors. The type hardness and material of pins bushes and nuts and bolts used are of paramount importance. The use of nuts and bolts must be avoided as far as possible. There are four critical criteria required for maximum performance of a conveyor chain. They are ultimate tensile strength; wear ability, fatigue resistance and impact resistance lubrication, loads, chain speed, system design as well as many other factors affect Chains durability. Hardness is the only value that is controlled by the standard or reputed manufacturers that impacts wear ability, and hardness has a huge impact on the other three criteria. A harder chain is the more durable chain but this very hardness causes the chain to be less fatigue and impact resistant. It is well known fact that the harder the chain the lesser the resistance to fatigue and impact (Toughness). Abrasion resistance, toughness, ductility, welds ability and machining ability all vary with material composition and hardness. Fortunately there are options in base materials that take the above into consideration. There are materials that offer good impact and fatigue resistance, a reasonable level of durability as well as meeting minimum strength requirements. Fatigue resistance is the material’s ability to withstand continuous bending, twisting, etc. without fracturing. It is perhaps the conveyor chain’s most important asset or liability. The impact resistance measure of a conveyor determines its ability to absorb shock without breaking apart. The harder the material is, the less it is impact resistance. However, there are different materials having the same hardness with variable- capabilities of absorbing impact and remaining intact. With loads being stopped and started frequently, the chain is susceptible to impact failure if it is not manufactured from an impact resistant material. Other potential impact points on a conveyor are the loading and unloading stations.

For that you need a cutting edge technology...

Pic. 15: Round Link Chain HRC:32-45, T.S, P132-260 KN, P82-190 KN

In designing and selection of a Chain Conveyor the following points require careful consideration. High and low bulk densities, Temperature, Flow ability, Abrasiveness, Corrosiveness, Moisture content, Particle size and Distribution. . The following tables would give an idea the requirement of horse power, capacity, size, length and UTS and tensile strengths required. February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Technology Table 1: Indication factors as mentioned

Capacity T/H

Round Link Chains-Capacity, Speed, Horse Power, Conveyor Length and Chain Pull & UTS. Required Power (KW) Conveyor Length – Meter (At 23M/Min.)

1.7

2.2

2.8 3.4 3.9 4.5

2.2

2.9 3.7 4.4

5.6

6.7

7.9

5.1

5.8

6.6

7.3

8.8

10.2

11.7

100 3.1 4.1

5.1

6.1

7.2

8.2

9.2

10.2

12.3

14.3

16.4

150 4.4

5.9

7.4

8.9

10.4

11.8

13.3

14.8

17.8

20.7

23.7

200

7.8

9.7

11.7

13.6

15.6

17.5

19.5

23.4

27.3 31.2

5.8

Chain Pull (KN) Conveyor Length –Meter (At 23M/Min.)

2.8 3.7 4.7

5.6

6.5

7.5

8.4

9.3

11.2

13.1

75 3.7 4.9

6.1

7.3

8.5

9.7

12.2

14.6

17.1

19.5

100 4.4

5.8

7.3

8.8

10.2

11.7

13.2

14.6

17.5

20.5

23.4

150

5.9

7.9

9.39

11.8

13.8

15.8

17.8

19.7

23.7

27.6 31.6

200

7.3

9.7

12.2

14.6

17.1

19.5

21.9

24.4

29.2 34.1 39

56.1

65.4

Minimum Chain UTS (N)-5.1 Safety Factor Conveyor Length –Meter (At 23M/Min.)

18.7

23.4

28 32.7 37.4 42.1 46.7

18.3

24.4 30.4 36.5 42.6 48.7

54.8

60.9

73.1

100

21.9

29.2 36.5 43.9

150

28.3 37.8 47.2

51.2

58.5

65.8

73.1

56.6

66.1

200 33.7 44.9

56.2

67.4

250 39.4

52.5

65.6

300 45

Table 2: Indication factors as mentioned Drag Conveyor – Horizontal S. No. Size (in mm) 1

23 M./min.

H.P. at Length

Cap. 25M 50M 75M 100M M3/H 230x330

107 3.28

6.56

2 300x330

140 4.18

8.36

3 400x330

183

4 450x480 303 5

30.5 M./min.

600x480 398

9.84

Cap. M3/H

H.P. at Length 25M

50M

75M

100M

8.7

17.4

13.1

143 4.35

12.5

16.7

186

5.57

11.2

16.7

22.3

14.6

21.9

29.2

5.5

16.5

244

7.3

8.62

17.3

75.9 34.5 404

11.6

23.1 34.7 46.3

14.9

29.9 44.8

11.2

22.3 33.5 44.6

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

531

59.7

Technology TUBULAR CONVEYORS Designing a conveying system for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s processors requires far more than just moving product from point A to point B. The designers must also consider plant and worker safety through assessing how the process affects the environment. As the tubular conveyors meet the demands listed above, they are becoming an increasingly popular choice among processors of all industries especially in Europe and USA. As an added benefit, the tubular drag conveyor is easily integrated into existing processes where confined spaces may otherwise be an issue. It utilizes a heavy-duty chain to move material at a low velocity. The result is a conveying method that is rugged; yet gentle for the widest array of materials with virtually no maintenance and low power consumption. Tubular Conveyor is a positive displacement device that conveys material through an enclosed tube without the use of air and has been used successfully throughout a wide range of industries. The systems can handle efficiently and gently, friable, blended, finely divided, free-flowing whether hot or cold/wet or dry, granules, chunks, flakes, pellets, pills, parts, shavings, crumbles, granules, fluff and dust materials with ease. Its flexible circuitry permits installation in and around existing equipment. This enclosed system protects the material from the environment and the environment from the product, thus improving housekeeping and reducing employee exposure to toxic, hazardous and unsanitary products. Generally, the construction materials of a tubular conveyor are determined by the product to be handled. Materials that are corrosive or contaminable would normally dictate stainless steel construction on metallic material contact surfaces. In applications where there is no concern over corrosion or contamination, carbon steel construction is a far more economical alternative. Most of the tubular drag conveyors manufacturers utilize round link chain as the basic chain style because it is less prone to fatigue, wear and stretch. In addition, round link chain offers a good strength-to-weight ratio and is flexible enough to work with complex conveyor circuits.

Pic. 16: Tubular Conveyor Round Link Chain

Pic. 17: Tubular Conveyor Round Link Chain

Pic. 18: Seed clearing section with Tubular Conveyor and Silo-Top View

Advantages of Tubular Conveyor: l Gentle conveying-Safe product Texture l In any direction- Avoid multiple drives & equipment l At any angle- Avoid need of elevator l In any plane- Avoid need of elevator l No noise- Help reduce sound pollution l No fugitive emissions- Reduce air pollution l No product exposure- Safe product l No spillage of products- Save losses & improved house keeping l Not many transfer chutes- Save cost of bag filter and blowers and ducts. l Can be started at load-No need of inching start l Negligible maintenanceMore production l Long Life- No replacement cost Salient Features of Bucket Elevators: 1. Drive Head Lower section made with high thickness steel sheets heavily stiffened. Steel split upper cover easily removable for inspection and maintenance of drive pulley/wheels. Dust vent on top and inspection hatch located at the outlet.

Pic. 19: Bucket Elevator-Differenct parts

Inlet/Outlet openings prearranged for the connection with other machines; chutes lined with wear resistant material when required. 3. Buckets on the basis of the conveyed material characteristics the buckets are made of: - carbon steel - wear resistant steel - stainless steel 4.

Casing of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the elevators is made 9f welded and bolted sections, designed to obtain a self-supporting structure of the machine for the vertical loads. The assembling of sections is done by bolts flanges, with seals between each section. Bolted door for easy bucket inspection and mounting.

5. Bottom head Made with high thickness steel sheets is equipped with removable bolted door for inspection and cleaning.

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Technology 6.

Drive unit configuration may vary depending on the application. The typical drive unit for installed power of 22kW or more includes electric motor, hydraulic coupling and right angle gearbox with backstop and torque arm directly mounted on the drive shaft. Additional electric motor for creeping can be installed, upon request, on the gearbox. As an alternative, drive units can be equipped with belt drive between electric motor and gear unit. 7.

Take-up The gravity take-up system of the bucket elevators is equipped with additional dust-tight seals between the casing and the guide of the idle shaft. Belt bucket elevators realized for heavy duty application are equipped with a self aligning system which ensure the safe parallel guidance of the pulley. The idle shaft is supported by two externally mounted flanged cast steel supports with double-row selfaligning ball bearings. l H.R. belts are used where hot material is to be handled. l Heat resistance and oil resistance belts are used where hot and oily material is to be handled. l Top pulleys should are provided with rubber on their surfaces. No chain should be provided. Except where the cooked and hot material is to be elevated. l A pneumatic devise is used which allows the feed damper to be shut immediately after power is off and opens slowly after resumes the speed. This device does not overload the elevator with the grains/powder load and does not waste the time of elevator boot filling. Salient Features of Belt Conveyor These conveyors are very good for conveying the soy, flakes and meal at a mean or long distance. It requires very low maintenance and operational cost. 01. It provides a good and smooth operation speed and permits loading and discharge and discharge of the product at any part of its course. 22

02. The life of such conveyor is very long. 03. It is composed of beam, legs, cross bars, loader rollers, return rollers and guide rollers. 04. Loading can: be performed by fixed or movable feeder/feeders and the discharge by fixed spout or automatic tripper. 05. The scrapping of these conveyors required extra care and equipment must scraps very gently.

l l l l l l l

Drawback of belt conveyors l Carried products are exposed to the atmosphere and not safe to handle hygroscopic products like fertilizers and other chemicals, l Not ideal for short distances, l Should not be used where dust explosion is prone to be happened. A lot of dusting is produced at the transferred chutes when grains are handled. l Fair chances of material spillages. l Can not be used with sticky material. l Can be damaged if no proper belt scraper is used. l Lot of material wastage when no proper scraper is used especially with sticky material

Freedom from mechanical adjustment. Minimized belt and fastener wear through precise pressure control. Predetermined blade/belt angle remains constant. Fully compatible with reversible belt systems. Compatible with most existing scraper mounting arrangements. Only fully worn blades need to be replaced. Customization facility to suite different applications. Remote blade pressure adjustment.

We are the authorized sole selling agent for India of MATAM S.A. Chaussee dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Alsemberg 1017B B-1420 Braine Lalleud â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Belgium

Pic. 21: Dirt Whacker

Pic. 20: Belt Conveyor-Transfer chutes and conveyor designed by Martin Engineering USA

Dirt Whacker The ultimate in belt cleaning Operating Principle Pressurization of a rubber sleeve alters the angles within parallelogram modules, thereby providing precise and uniform blade pressure on the belt surface. The system automatically compensates for scraper blade wear. The constant blade/ belt angle and even blade/belt pressure over the full belt width are other unique features of the design. Important Features l Completely fail-safe in operation.

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

Seed cleaning The cleaning of grains for storage and processing is important because the grains contain a number of impurities namely, inert matter (stones and clay), weed seeds, other crop seeds, light and chaffy seeds, off ÂŹsize/damaged or deteriorated seed, leaves, stems and pods of the plant and twills from the gunny begs. The principal physical differences found in seeds are seed size (length, width and thickness) density, shape, surface texture, colour, affinity for liquids, and seed conductivity. If the differences between desirable and undesirable material in regard to any of these properties exist, separation of undesirable material could be done with the help of suitable machine/machines designed for the purpose. Preparing these grains for storage and processing is, therefore, a vital stage of any manufacturing plant to ensure

Technology that quality and efficiency standards are adhered to. Untreated (dirty) grains in storage may lead to many harmful problems including product loss as a result of spoilage and other operation problems including: l Mould l Infestation l Mycotoxins l Bad odours l Grain (heat) damage l Potential hot spots in silo (leading to combustion/fire) l Mechanical damage to equipment (oversize impurities such as stones, etc) The selection of cleaners for this purpose is typical. Our experience is that lots of impurities come along with the seeds and to clean the seeds satisfactory a combination of machines is necessary. Before the selection of seed cleaner putting one rotary sieve is necessary as it cleans bigger impurities like mud balls, stones, stems and the most important twills coming from gunny begs along with the seeds while feeding in the hoppers.

After drum sieve a pre-cleaner is must which removes 2 to 3 % of the impurities and if the impurities are more they find their way with the seeds. To remove them further the inclusion of fines cleaner is must and then a de-stoner must be installed in the process. (Fig. Flow Chart) In a good seed cleaner gyratory motion of the near-level screen box varies from a circular motion at feed end and then to an elliptical longitudinal stroke at discharge end. The circular action immediately distributes the grain over the entire width of the screen surface, insuring full utilization of the entire screen area and eliminating the need for a distribution device. This action also causes fines to quickly sink down against the screen mesh. Since there is no violent agitation or vertical hop, fines hug the screen surface and readily pass through. At the same time, larger particles are positively conveyed toward the discharge end, where the gentler longitudinal motion extracts the more stubborn near-size particles, such as broken grain and weed seeds. A very well designed cleaner must be completely en-closed. Every joint

and connection is sealed to help prevent contamination of grain or atmosphere, thereby providing clean safe operating conditions. Interior ÂŹsealing, too, prevents cross-contamination of materials between the various screen surfaces thus insuring the consistently high quality separations. To keep the screen surface clean, cleaner must have a system of resilient balls that continuously tap against the underside of the screen mesh. At the same time, it keeps the screen live providing sufficient agitation to aid particle stratification and to separate particles adhering to one another. The bouncing balls insure complete removal of undersize-even materials such as broken pieces of grain that tend to clog other types o(equipment. Because of their smooth counterbalanced drive, Grain Cleaners can be cable suspended at any desired location to meet space or structural limitations. Cable suspension prevents transmission of motion to or from adjacent equipment in light structures and provides long lasting, quiet performance. ...to be continued

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Dairy

Why Not an ATM for Milk: Some Thoughts — Jose Abraham Managing Director, Ernakulam Milk Union, Kerala

Making availability of milk as per consumer requirement at the retail outlet is the responsibility of all Dairy units. Getting milk at the door step early in the morning is everybody’s desire, to have one’s bed tea/ coffee. A cup of tea/coffee with newspaper in the morning is a regular habit of malayaless, which forms an integral part of his dairy routine. A cities grow, the traffic on the road also increases, causing much difficulty for the consumers, to go up to the milk booth to get his milk, and so at several places the dealers arrange home delivery of milk, on coupon basis. This adds cost to the consumers. Further, there are suppliers, dealing with more than one brand of milk, who may be delivering milk of their choice at the door step of the consumer. When the dealer commission varies for each brand, the dealer will be interested in promoting the brand, which gives him more margin, forcefully compelling the consumers, to accept the brand delivered at their door step. There as several consumers purchasing milk from supermarket or-from other outlets for more than one day’s requirement, and stocking at home in their fridge. This also adds cost by way of refrigeration. Hence, to get wholesome milk of their choice as per their requirement, at their 24

convenience, round the clock, it is desirable to have a system which can fulfill the customer’s needs so that they are not cheated and at the some time, supplier dairy is also benefited. A change, from the conventional system to an innovative one, is therefore needed. With a view to this objective we have seriously thought of developing a sached vending machine ¬which can be operated on electronic cards like that of ATM smart cards for cash withdrawal. This being a novel idea and since

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

there in no proven system for sachet vending using smart cards, we took it as an innovative method for milk supply to consumers. As per our plan and idea we could now develop a vending machine with the assistance of an external agency which can deliver milk and curd in sachets stored at refrigerated condition, vending 4 sachets at a time of different variants of milk. Milk can be drawn from the vending unit at any time as per our need and requirement. Vending machines will be

installed at residential areas, especially in flats, so that the consumer gets union’s milk & curd round the clock, at MRP, without any additional cost. Vending machine will be loaded both the times as per need and as the stock diminishes and reaches the pre-set level there will be intimation from the machine itself to the central dairy/ supply unit, for loading the machine. Smart cards that will be issued to the consumers can be charged as per his own requirement. As the card amount diminishes, he can get it charged at his residence with out going anywhere for the amount he wish so that he need not invest much money in advance as in the case of monthly coupons. The field trails that are going on shows that this can totally eliminate the consumer exploitation and this will be a revolutionary change from the conventional system which will be very well accepted by the consumers for whom we can give better service. Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union will be the 1st Union to introduce a fully automatic sachet Vending Machine in true sense as an ATM booth. This All Time Milk Booth / Any Time Milk Booth functioning on smart card will be made available at an affordable price that can be managed by dealers/ residence association. This innovation will be a booster, for our commitment of farmers prosperity through consumers satisfaction. Our Motto Farmers’ prosperity through consumers’ satisfaction n

AgriBusiness & Food Industry w December 2011

Price Outlook

Palm oil unlikely to rally on tight fundamentals â&#x20AC;&#x201D; G Chandrashekhar

egetable oil traders across the world have been watching closely the South American weather developments, which are threatening to shake the market up with its somewhat sedate condition in recent months. It is becoming increasingly clear that the global vegetable oil market balance sheet for 2011-12 (October-September) is likely to stay tight (but not get into serious deficit), assuming that Brazil and Argentina face no major crop disaster. Ample stocks of South American soya bean are sure to retard any possible rally. But where does all this leave the palm oil market? Supplies are expanding and for 201112, world production of palm oil is an estimated 51 million tonnes, up from 49.2 mt of the previous year. This low-cost tropical oil with a variety of uses in food, fuel and industrial application is currently running a large price discount vis-Ă -vis its closest competitor soya bean oil. Indeed, it is this discounted-price attractiveness that ensures sustained demand for palm oil, especially in pricesensitive markets such as India and its neighbours. It is reasonable to believe that palm oil will increase its market share in 2012. But one must remember that this price-driven incremental demand will occur at a time when palm oil production growth will be 1.8 mt in 2011-12, down from 3.7 mt of the previous year. So, higher demand growth and lower output growth will result in tightening 26

fundamentals. This will mean the price differential with soya bean oil is set to reduce, which in turn translates to a rather limited downside price risk to palm oil in the coming months. Supportive Factor Expectations of crude oil prices rising in the second half of the year will also be a potentially supportive factor via the biodiesel route. So, does all these mean, palm oil will have a bull run in 2012 and prices will spurt to Malaysian ringgits 4,000/t as some analysts have been predicting? It seems most unlikely. Without doubt, the demand conditions will stay robust; and the price differential with soya bean oil will narrow to about $90-100 a tonne versus about $140-150/t at present. But palm oil prices are unlikely to rise sharply simply because prices are a function not only of fundamental demand and supply but also of factors such as weather, flow of speculative capital and global economic growth outlook. Weather experts are sanguine that global risks are abating. Currently, investors prefer cash to commodities. Lack of risk appetite means funds stay in the sidelines, waiting and watching. Most major economies of the world are slowing down and the situation is expected to remain so in the first half of this year. Since 2009, annual average price of palm oil has been rising robustly. For instance, from RM 2,300/t in 2009, it spurted to RM 2,700/t the following year

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

and then on to RM 3,250/t in 2011. Given the market fundamentals, weak sentiment resulting from less-confident global growth outlook and dollar strength, the year 2012 is most unlikely to witness price moves comparable to the previous two years. If anything, palm oil prices can potentially come under pressure and actually lose some value on an annual average basis in 2012. Importantly, Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent tariff changes for palm oil export and increasing competition with Malaysia is sure to place a lid on prices. Malaysia will be forced to change its pricing strategy just to retain market share. Major importing countries such as India and Pakistan may also drive special bargains with Indonesia. Disproportional Impact It is axiomatic in commodity markets that when the market is tightly balanced, even a small change in demand or supply or both will have a disproportionately larger impact on prices. Even a modest level of demand compression can potentially push palm oil prices lower. The probability of such an event is higher than supply-driven price movements. If anything palm oil exporters should be happy if in 2012, annual average price stays intact as in 2011 at around RM 3,250/t. It should be no surprise if prices move in a broad range of RM 3,000-3,400 a tonne over the coming months barring some transient movement beyond the range. So, forget about a bull run in palm oil. n

AgriBusiness & Food Industry w December 2011

Research

Nutrients and Antinutrients in Soyabean — Punit Chandra Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal. M. P.

he soybean is probably the world’s most valuable crop used as feed and food. It is believed to have been domesticated in China from its probably wild ancestor Glycine, common in Eastern Asia and has been used as food and folk medicine in China and Japan. It being the important source of protein and oil and the amount of protein produced per unit area, this little old bean has been called “yellow jewel”, “great treasure,” “natures miracle protein,” and “meat of the field.” The soybean is one of the most economical and valuable commodities because of its unique chemical composition. It is reported that soybean seed comprised of about 8% hull, 90% cotyledons, and 2% hypocotyls and plumule. Soybean is a complete reservoir of nutrients, especially proteins. Among cereals and other legume species, it has the highest protein content (around 40%); other legumes have a protein content of 20% to 25%, whereas cereals contain in the range of 8-15% protein. The soybean also contains about 20% oil. Besides very high protein content it contains fiber and good quantity calcium, magnesium, 35% carbohydrate and about 5% ash. The carbohydrates of soybeans playa minor nutritional role. Nutritional Quality The nutritional quality of soybean depends on its constituents and their role in nutrition is presented. Proximate composition of Soybean 100g of soybeans contains 36.5 g protein, 19.9g Fat (total lipid), 2.9 g saturated fatty acids, 4.4 g mono¬unsaturated fatty acids, 11.3 g polyunsaturated fatty acids, 30.2g carbohydrates, 9.3g Fiber, 4.9 g Ash, 8.5 g water, 416 kcal Energy, 200 mg Isoflavones, 277 mg Calcium (Ca), 15.7 mg Iron (Fe), 280 mg Magnesium (Mg), 704 mg Phosphorus, 1797 mg Potassium (K), 2.0 mg Sodium (Na), 4.9 mg Zinc (Zn), 1.7 mg Copper (Cu), 2.52 mg Manganese (Mn), 17.8 µg Selenium (Se), 6.0 mg Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), 0.874 mg Thiamin (vitamin B1 0.87 mg), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), 1.62 mg Niacin (vitamin B3). Protein Soybean is a source of complete protein and contains all essential amino acids. Bulk of proteins in the soybean seed are stored in protein bodies, which may vary 2-20 µm in diameter. A complete protein is one which contains significant quantities of all the essential amino acids that must be provided to the human body because of the inability of the body to synthesize them. Soy protein has the highest yield per square meter-of growing area, and is least expensive source of dietary protein. Glycinin 28

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

(11 S) and β conglycinin (7S) are the major storage proteins of soybean and determine the functional properties of protein. The storage proteins, 78 and 118 are the principal components of soy protein. β-conglycinin which belongs to the 7S protein fraction is a major source of soybean protein comprising 25 - 30% of the total proteins. It is composed of several isomeric forms containing three sub units (α,α, and β) in different ratios. In contrast another major soya protein glycinin or 11S globulin is a single protein which consists of both acidic and basic polypeptides. The 7S and 11S globulin thus make up 50% of the total protein in soybean. Soybean protein is almost comparable to animal protein. The amino acid profile of soy protein is usually well rounded for a protein. Comparison of a variety of soy protein with ideal patterns published by Food and Nutrition Board (NAS, 1980 ) or Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO, 1985) demonstrates adequate quantities of the essential amino acid histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, the combined phenylalanine, plus tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Only the combined quantity of the essential sulphur containing amino acids (methionine plus cystine) falls below the recommended pattern. Lysine concentration is particularly high in soy protein and its abundance is inexpensive. Since lysine is limiting in cereal proteins, supplementation of cereals with soy protein improves protein utilization. Most soy protein is a relatively heat-stable storage protein. This heat stability retains the protein quality in high temperature processing, e.g. preparation of tofu, soymilk and textured vegetable protein (soy flour). Soybean has great potential to provide good quality protein and calorie at low price and help in combating Protein Calorie Malnutrition (PMC) of nutrition hungry population. Lipids Soybean contains 20% oil with 85% of that oil is unsaturated and saturated oil is 15%. Soybean oil is cholesterol- free and contains 24% oleic acid. Soy oil contains a large quantity polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic (55%) and linolenic acid (7%), which is considered to be essential to the human diet. The linolenic acid is not present in most of the other vegetable oils and is an important as precursor of prostaglandin. Medical studies have shown that soybean oil is useful in the prevention and treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases. Soybean oil also contains approximately 2.5% lecithin that has shown to reduce blood platelets aggregation, which is important in the prevention of thrombosis. Carbohydrates The principal soluble carbohydrates of mature soybeans are the disaccharide sucrose (range 2.5-8.2%), the trisaccharide raffinose (0.1–1.0%) composed of one sucrose molecule connected to one molecule of galactose, and the tetrasaccharide stachyose (1.4 to 4.1 %) composed of one sucrose connected to two molecules of galactose. Though the oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose protect the viability of the soybean seed from desiccation, they are not digestible sugars and therefore, contribute to flatulence and abdominal discomfort in humans and other monogastric animals. The insoluble carbohydrates in soybean consist of the complex polysaccharides cellulose, hemi cellulose, and pectin. The majority of soybean carbohydrates can be classed as dietary fiber. The carbohydrates, one of the major constituents of soybean in terms of quantity, playa minor nutritional role.

Research Minerals and Vitamins The major mineral components of soybeans are potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus. Mineral content can vary widely due to both the type of soil and growing conditions for the soybean. Although soybeans are not considered be very rich sources of anyone particular vitamin, they do contribute to an overall nutritional well-being. The water-soluble vitamins in soybeans are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, inositol and choline. Fat-soluble vitamins present in the soybean are vitamins A and E. Vitamin A exists as provitamin beta carotene and is present in higher levels in the immature green vegetable soybean, than in the mature or dry soybean. Tocopherols are an important constituent of soy oil due both to the vitamin E supplied for human nutrition and the antioxidant properties of tocopherols that protect the oil. Soybeans also contain the isoflavones genistein and daidzein, types of phytoestrogen that are considered by some nutritionists and physicians to be useful in the prevention of cancer and by others to be carcinogenic with excess intake. Anti Nutritional Factors Almost all the oilseeds possess a certain quantity of antinutritional factors, and soybeans are no exception. Legume seeds are known to contain a number of constituents that may have deleterious effects on their nutritional value. Anti nutritional factors present in soybean are Trypsin inhibitor (TI), Hemagglutinins, goitrogens, phytates, antivitamins, saponins, estrogens, flatulence factors, lysinoalanine and allergens. The soybean therefore, needs to be properly processed prior to food uses. Trypsin Inhibitors (TI) The TI activity is known to exert deleterious effect on the intestinal contents, impairing protein digestion and utilization. Although these protease inhibitors inhibit the action of a wide variety of enzymes besides trypsin, they are generically referred to as trypsin inhibitors (TI). Specified processing steps destroy these inhibitors. In addition to the negative effect on protein digestibility, the trypsin inhibitor. induces pancreatic hypertrophy and leads to an increase in secretion of trypsin (endogenous nitrogen). Phytic Acid Most of the phosphorus in soybeans is in an indigestible form called phytic acid or phytate. Soybeans contain a high level of phytic acid, which has many effects including acting as an antioxidant and a chelating agent. The beneficial claims for phytic acid include reducing cancer, minimizing diabetes and reducing inflammation. However, phytic acid is also criticized for reducing vital minerals due to its chelating effect, especially for diets already low in minerals. Flatulence Factors Raffinose and stachyose are two types of short-chained carbohydrates that make up about 5-7% of the soybean. These oligosaccharides are not digested and they cause digestive disturbances (flatulence). Flatulence is one of the major obstacles to further utilization of soybean as food. Since soluble soy carbohydrates are found mainly in the whey and are broken down during fermentation, soymilk, tofu, soy sauce and sprouted soybeans are without flatus activity. On the other hand, there may be some beneficial effects of ingesting oligosaccharides such as raffinose and stachyose for growth of indigenous bifidobacteria in the colon against putrefactive bacteria. The oligosaccharides can

be removed by special processing, resulting in a product called soy protein concentrate. Mutant genes have now been identified that eliminate or greatly reduce the oligosaccharides in soybeans. Incorporation of these genes into commercial soybean varieties should have a positive impact on the nutritional value of soybean meal. Antigenic Factors Certain specific types of protein in soybeans have been shown to cause an inflammatory response in the intestine when exceptionally high levels of soybean meal are included in diets The processing that soybeans undergo in the production of soy protein concentrate seems to reduce the amount of these antigenic proteins. Other Factors Soybeans contain compounds called lectins that bind with intestinal cells and interfere with absorption of nutrients. The lectins are destroyed with proper heat trea1:1p.ent. Other compounds such as saponins, lipoxidase, phytoestrogens, and goitrogens also exist in soybeans, but whether or not they have anti-nutritional effects is not well understood. Soybean Processing For Food Uses Proper processing of soybean is necessary to minimize or eliminate antinutrition factors from soybean to derive nutrition and health benefits from soyafoods and avoid certain physiological syndrome or disorder in humans such as:(i) Pancreatic hypertrophy, (ii) enlargement of thyroid gland, (iii) growth inhibition, (iv) Inhibited proteolysis, (v) Reduced protein digestibility, (vi) Increase requirement of sulphur containing amino. acids and (vii) Reduced metabolisable energy, etc. Traditional procedures such as roasting, blanching, steaming, fermentation, germination and microwave treatment areâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; used to increase biological benefit and ease of digestion and decrease anti nutrient compounds in soybean. Heat treatment improves nutritive value through conversion of native protein into more digestible denatured forms. Application of moist or dry heat usually destroys Protease inhibitors. It also destroys heat- labile biologically active components hemagglutinines, allergens, saponinis and goitrogens. It is reported that only 80% of the TI activity needs to be destroyed in order to obtain maximum protein efficiency ratio (PER) and only 50% destruction eliminates the pancreatic hypertrophy associated with feeding of raw soybeans. Thus, soybean is naturally an excellent source of high quality soy protein, isoflavones, dietary fiber, potassium, folic acid, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Soybean is a good source of essential fatty acids and contains no cholesterol and little or no saturated fat. Important bioactive components, including Isoflavons in soybeans, are being studied in relationship to relieving menopausal symptoms, maintaining healthy bones, and preventing cancers (prostate, colorectal, and breast). Soybean protein provides all the essential amino acids similar to animal protein needed for growth. In addition - to its quality, scientists have found that soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and increasing the flexibility of blood vessels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of USA has approved in October 1999 a health claim that suggests 25 grams of soy protein in a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. n

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

Pre-show Report

Thai Agriculture Minister to open FIAAP, VICTAM & GRAPAS ASIA Exhibitions Will be the biggest yet T

hailand’s Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Theera Wongsamut will officially open three concurrent exhibitions at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) which will attract senior industry executives from the animal feed, aquafeed, petfood, biomass pelleting, grain processing and rice and flour milling industry sectors from throughout South and South East Asia. The three-day specialist trade shows --FIAAP, VICTAM, and GTRAPAS ASIA 2012-- will conclude on February 17. Not only will the visitors see a larger exhibition, 40% larger than the last show in 2010, but also more and larger stands, more products, more conferences, more technical seminars and also more new product launches. At least 22 new product launches have already been intimated to the organisers. Show goes on Preparations continued to progress well despite the flooding that has hit parts of Thailand and Bangkok. The flood waters have receded throughout the country and in Bangkok. The transportation system is operating, the underground railway and 30

the BTS Skytrain are also running. The floods did not affect the exhibition and conference venues nor the International Suvarnabhumi Airport. Downtown Bangkok, where the majority of the city’s hotels are situated, have also remained flood free. In fact all the facilities necessary for a successful show have not been affected and are fully operational. The city is returning to its vibrant, welcoming and fun loving self, for which it is famed. VICTAM INTERNATIONAL expects the event to draw senior trade executives from throughout the animal feed and grain processing industries of South and South East Asia. Visitors will find the latest feed ingredients and additives for animals, pets and aqua within the FIAAP exhibitors. If you are looking at animal feed processing technology then VICTAM is the show for you. The latest machinery and systems from all over the world will be on display. You will be able to see those gleaming machines and get expert advice from the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. The Victam show will also include many exhibitors that will be displaying the

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

latest technology for biomass pelleting. These organic pellets are used as an alternative source for green energy. There will also be many exhibitors displaying “ancillary equipment”, for instance silos, conveyors, un/loaders, bagging, buckets, programs, etc. The “ancillary equipment” will also be applicable to the final exhibition – GRAPAS. This show is all about grain and rice milling and processing, its storage, sorting, preservation, transportation and final processing. For visitors from the rice and flour milling sectors, breakfast cereal, noodle and extruded snack producers this show will be a ‘must.’ There will be a series of conferences at the event. Theyare: l The FIAAP Asia Conference 2012 l Petfood Forum Asia 2012 l The GRAPAS Asia Conference 2012 l Biomass – Pellets Update Asia l Aquafeed Horizons Asia 2012 l The Thai Feed Conference l GMP+ seminar Feed safety and sustainability in the global market l Exhibitors Technical Seminars – free to all registered visitors n

News

China suspends import of Indian rapeseed meal China has suspended imports of rapeseed meal from India from January 1 since some consignments were found contaminated with malachite green. But trade sources feel there could be more than contamination. According to documents available with a business daily, the Indian consulate in Beijing was informed by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) or the Chinese quarantine authority. Indian rapeseed consignments to China last year were found contaminated with malachite green that is feared to cause cancer if the level exceeds stipulated norms. Following the Chinese complaints, the industry here carried out a study to find out the source of contamination. The study, undertaken by the Export Inspection Council of India, found out that the primary source was the green dye used on jute bags to print identification marks. Not Convinced The report, to have been submitted

to the Chinese on September 17, was forwarded only a couple of weeks ago. The AQSIQ authorities, it is learnt, are not convinced with the Indian explanation. Trade sources say the reason for the suspension could be different. “It could be in retaliation for the ban imposed by India on Chinese milk products,” a source who did not want to be identified said. India had banned Chinese milk products, including chocolates, after it was reported to have been contaminated with melamine, a dangerous chemical that led to the death of four children in China. The ban has been in force since 2008 and was recently extended till June. “China is known for such tactics. Last year, it stopped buying Argentine soyabean oil for a couple months before it ran out of stock and resumed buying. Even in the case of India, it is buying soyameal while stopping rapeseed meal,” the source said. The source said that consignments that were contracted at higher price were not allowed, while those booked at lower price were accepted. The industry, on the other hand, does

not want to lose a valuable market such as China which buys four lakh tonnes of rapeseed meal and three lakh tonnes of soyameal from India. Last season (October 2010-September 2011), China had bought 4.05 lakh tonnes of rapeseed meal valued at Rs 400 crore against 2.6 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 280 the previous year. Canada is another major source of rapeseed meal to China, accounting for nearly 55 per cent of the market share there. Some Chinese buyers prefer it because of higher profit margins they are able to get from the Canadian meal. The suspension will be in force until India and China sort out the issue. The Solvent Extraction Industry in India has urged the Chinese authorities to visit the extraction plant to get first hand information of the situation. An AQSIQ delegation is likely to visit the country soon to study the situation. On the other hand, the Solvent Extraction Association of India has told all its members to not buy rapeseed or rapeseed in jute bags with green markings. They have also been asked to ensure that jute bags used for packing the meal are not marked with malachite green dye even for domestic supply.

Mustard output may drop Sowing of oilseeds has dropped by 7.25 per cent in the current rabi season, dragged by a decline in rapeseed/mustard acreage in Rajasthan due to poor rain. This could hurt production as harvest of mustard is set to begin in the next few weeks. In Rajasthan, the acreage under mustard so far is 26.41 lakh hectares against 32 lakh hectares in the corresponding period a year ago. The total area under mustard stood at 65.30 lakh hectares against 71.11 lakh hectares. The overall area under oilseeds is lower by 6.56 lakh ha and States such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have reported lower coverage due to poor north-east monsoon. Sowing of wheat has almost been

completed and the area so far has exceeded last year’s total area of 294 lakh hectares. Acreage under wheat has increased marginally at 294 lakh hectares against 290.98 lakh hectares last year. The higher area coverage is led by Madhya Pradesh, where the area is up by 6 lakh hectares, followed by Rajasthan at 3.11 lakh hectares. The Government is targeting wheat output of 84 million tonnes. Sowing of wheat is expected to go on till end of January in areas where harvest of sugarcane and potato was on. The area under pulses stood at 145 lakh hectares, marginally lower than previous year’s 146.47 lakh hectares. The acreage under gram is lower at 89.3 lakh hectares against 93.3 lakh hectares last year. This

is despite higher area reported under gram reported from States like Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat and Bihar. The area under coarse cereals and rice is marginally lower than last year.

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

News

New hub for edible oils The Krishnapatnam Port region is slowly becoming a hub for edible oil refineries with eight firms setting up refineries at Pantapalem in Muthukur mandal, close to the port. Half a dozen more units have expressed interest to follow suit near the port. The Krishnapatnam Port region is slowly becoming a hub for edible oil refineries with eight firms setting up refineries at Pantapalem in Muthukur mandal, close to the port. Half a dozen more units have expressed interest to follow suit near the port. The port has laid a pipeline to the area where the units are located, to unload crude palm oil directly from the ships. Proximity of the port to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and availability of land in the area has been attracting industrialists to

set up their units in the region. According to general manager of industries, M. Murali Mohan, Gemini Edible Oils, Saraiwala Industries Pvt Ltd, Krishnapatnam Oil and Fats Pvt Ltd, Emami Biotech Pvt Ltd and South India Fats and Oils Pvt Ltd have started operations among eight units established already at Pantapalem. The other three units are expected to start operations this year. Chief executive officer of Krishnapatnam Port Anil Yendluri told this newspaper that half-a-dozen more industrialists have visited the port in the recent past and expressed interest to set up refineries in the Krishnapatnam region. He said that they had created necessary infrastructure at the port for

unloading ships carrying edible oils without any waiting time. In addition, assistance was also being extended to industries to set up their units in the region, he added. President of the AP Edible Oil Dealers Welfare Association Sannapa-reddy Penchal Reddy said that both traders and consumers are benefited because of the refineries coming up near Krishnapatnam port which is close to Nellore town. “Since the units are nearby, there is no need for us to maintain storage points unlike in the past when we were procuring edible oils from Kakinada port. We used to spend at least Rs 2 per kg of oil for transportation from Kakinada and this was passed on to the consumer. Irrespective of price variations in the market, consumers have been paying Rs 2 less per kg after we started lifting stocks from refineries located close to Krishnapatnam port,” Penchal Reddy told this newspaper.

Benchmark price on anvil for palm oil, jatropha The government has decided to come up with a formal indicative benchmark price for palm oil and jatropha, in order to curb the rising import bill on account of edible oil. For this, the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP) has already initiated the exercise. “Even if we import for our domestic consumption, there has to be an idea of what is the approximate domestic price vis-a-vis import parity price.” CACP is already conducting a similar exercise for coconut oil. Official sources explained that indicative benchmark will not serve as the minimum support price (MSP) as the government has decided not to take up under MSP any crop that obligates it to buy the crop if market prices slip below the MSP. But, since there is a subsidy burden on the government for edible oil under the public distribution system and there is a heavy import bill on account of edible oil, there needs to be a fair benchmark for the price. Besides, the sources added, since mostly raw oil was imported and then refined before being sold in the domestic market, a price benchmark would help ascertain if the import bill was overvalued 32

or domestic selling price was above the cost, and how much it was contributing to overall food inflation. Edible oil import bill is the third-highest for the government. And, for 2011-12, it is expected to hover around Rs 30,000 crore, next only to energy and urea import bills. India is the fourth-largest edible oil consumer of the world and half of its total requirement is met through imports. In 2010-11, the country’s edible oil imports had fallen 6.2 per cent to 8.67 mt, from 9.24 mt the previous year, due to a higher domestic output and a rise in import cost on account of a weak rupee. At present, the government adopts a market intervention scheme (MIS), an ad hoc formula that fixes the prices for horticultural and other agricultural commodities that are perishable in nature and are not covered under the MSP. Besides, the Ministry of Agriculture has advised states and agriculture universities to develop hybrid varieties of pulses and edible oil. However, the government has made it clear that the hybrid varieties will have to be developed only from the existing domestic varieties and will not be genetically-modified ones. “In that case, it will be suitable for

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

domestic consumption,” said an official source. This forms part of the comprehensive exercise taken by the ministry to rework the domestic pricing formula, the import duty and MIS for palm oil and other oilseeds. Even as palm oil production is currently done on a low scale, it has wider implications for the government’s efforts to build domestic edible oil capacities. Explaining the move, ministry sources said it would be difficult to cater to the increasing oil consumption needs through imports alone, if oil exporting countries decide to divert a considerable production for biofuel production. Jatropha, on the other hand, is a great source of biofuel. Currently, jatropha oil is used to produce biodiesel fuel in Philippines and Brazil, where it grows naturally, and in plantations in the Southeast, North, and Northeast of Brazil. Likewise, the oil is also being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects across India. Large-scale jatropha plantations have been undertaken in India by many research institutions, and women’s self help groups.

News

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

News

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

News

Biofuel from seaweed Global biotech major Novozymes has partnered with Bangalore-based biotech start-up - Sea6 Energy - for exploratory research and to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed. The research alliance is expected to use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food, and fertilisers for plants. According to Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Chairman of Sea6 Energy, “We have already developed ocean-farming structures that are robust and versatile

compared to traditional methods of seaweed cultivation. These structures can be used to create large-scale seaweed farms in offshore locations. In addition, Sea6 Energy is also pioneering approaches to fermenting the sugars derived from seaweed to produce fuel in a

manner that requires minimal use of fresh water resources.” “In our partnership with Novozymes we look forward to developing an efficient enzymatic process to convert seaweed to sugar,” he added. Novozymes will provide research, develop, and manufacture enzymes for the conversion process, while Sea6 Energy will contribute its offshore seaweed cultivation technology. “Seaweed is a natural complement to our efforts to convert other types of biomass to fuel ethanol,” said Per Falholt, Executive Vice-President and CSO of Novozymes. “More than half of the dry mass in seaweed is sugar, and the potential is therefore significant.”

Raw milk products reconsidered by FSANZ A new proposal by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) could see restrictions on the sale and production of raw milk products in Australia relaxed. Proposal P1007 addresses the problem of whether the current Food Standard Code - Dairy Standard (Standard 4.2.4) is too restrictive and whether alternative methods of processing or producing raw milk products will offer an acceptable level of public health and safety. It also seeks to standardise regulations on raw milk products in Australia. Currently, regulations differ from state to state. FSANZ hopes that by providing consistent regulations for the sale of imported and Australian-made raw milk products, domestic raw milk producers will be better able to compete with international producers.

in Jo

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Raw milk products are divided into three categories, each based on the possibility of pathogens being present in the finished product and the potential public health risk these products pose. Category 1 products include extra hard grating cheeses. Their low moisture content and long maturation make them as safe as pasteurised cheeses, according to FSANZ. Products that may allow the survival, but not growth, of pathogens that could be in raw milk are defined as Category 2 products. These products will be subject to a combination of control measures and verification activities to ensure they meet standards. Category 3 products include raw drinking milk and high-moisture content cheeses. Unlike Category 2 products, these may support the growth of

pathogens from the raw milk. FSANZ said Category 1 and 2 products maintain a low level of public health risk, providing they are subject to specific production and processing controls. Category 3 products are considered to present too high a public health risk to be permitted for sale in Australia. FSANZ is proposing changes to the Code that will involve permitting the production and import of Category 1 and 2 products in Australia. Despite Category 3 products not being allowed for sale in Australia, consumers can currently purchase raw goat’s milk in NSW and WA. This exemption will be reviewed separately. The FSANZ Board is expected to review the final report on Proposal P1007 in March.

3rd Int’l GrainTech India 2012

at Palace Ground, Bangalore, INDIA 25-26-27 August 2012 E-mail: graintechindia@gmail.com,www.graintechindia.com

SAARC OILS & FATS Today, February 2012

News

One glass of milk a day to boost brain power Milk has long been known to help build healthy bones and provide the body with a vitamin and protein boost. But now it’s being hailed as a memory aid after a study found those who regularly have milk – and other dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese and even ice cream – do better in key tests to check their brainpower. Scientists asked 972 men and women to fill in detailed surveys on their diets, including how often they consumed dairy products, even if only having milk in their tea and coffee. Drinking just one glass of milk a day could boost your brain power, say scientists The subjects, aged 23 to 98, then completed a series of eight rigorous tests to check their concentration, memory and learning abilities. The study, published in the International Dairy Journal, showed adults who consumed dairy products at least five or six times a week did far better in memory tests compared with those who rarely ate or drank them. The researchers said: ‘New and emerging brain health benefits are just one more reason to start each day with

low-fat or fat-free milk.’ In some of the tests, adults who rarely consumed dairy products were five times more likely to fail compared with those who had them between two and four times a week. The researchers, from the University of Maine in the U.S., believe certain nutrients in dairy products, such as magnesium, could help to stave off memory loss.

They also suspect dairy foods may help protect against heart disease and high blood pressure, which in turn maintains the brain’s ability to properly function. Some experts have disputed this, however, claiming dairy products increase the likelihood of heart disease and strokes as they are high in saturated fat.

Amul to market frozen yoghurt Amul is heating up the country’s frozen yoghurt battle. India’s numero uno food brand is entering the category with Flaavyo, which is being launched across the country later this month. Being offered in mango and strawberry flavours, Amul is pricing Flaavyo at Rs. 30 for a 125 ml cup, officials said. This is less than half the price of such products currently available in the market. Cocoberry, the domestic yoghurt chain, sells at around Rs. 80 for 100 gm, while Red Mango, which says 90 per cent of its ingredients are imported, sells its probiotic product at Rs. 89 per 100 gm. Flaavyo is the latest addition to Amul’s probiotic portfolio of products that includes dahi and lassi. “We are introducing products that are contemporary, healthy,

and fashionable and which appeal to the younger generation,” said R.S. Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Feferation Ltd, which owns the Amul brand. The idea is to promote consumption of milk and milk products among the youth, he added. In the last few months, a slew of foreign brands such as the US-based Red Mango, Canadian company Kiwi Kiss and Singapore-based Berrylite have launched frozen yoghurt chains in the country. Now, at Amul Parlours, the healthier desser will be served up as an option. Amul had already launched fresh yoghurt in select markets such as Mumbai last year, which had seen a tremendous response. “It is a realistic price” said Sodhi.

Moreover, such aggressive pricing would help create barriers for other major players entering the category. Flaavyo will also be available in 500 ml family packs and 5 litre bulk packs. Amul plans to introduce more flavours in the near future. Amul will be riding on its brand and distribution network to expand the reach of Flaavyo. Technopack estimates the Indian packaged yoghurt market at $135 million in 2011, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 18-20 per cent. It is poised to touch $260-280 million by 2015. This includes the frozen yoghurt business as well. With Amul’s entry the category could see an accelerated growth than initially projected.

February 2012, SAARC OILS & FATS TODAY

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