Establishing Product Consistency in Nigerian Crude Palm Oil Via Predictive Modeling of Fruit Varietals for Enhanced Global Competiveness
Abstract
Inconsistency in the yield and quality of crude palm oil (CPO) poses a major challenge to the competitiveness of Nigerian palm oil products. This study evaluated the influence of palm fruit varietals on CPO yield and product aesthetics with emphasis on establishing quality parameters and predictive relationships for tailored production. Native and improved (agricultural) palm fruit varietals were separately and jointly processed under uniform conditions. The native varietal yielded 0.157 L (2.62%) of CPO from a 6 L fruit volume while the agricultural varietal produced 0.511 L (8.52%), representing a threefold increase in extraction efficiency. A mixed 12 L batch of both varietals yielded 1.5 L (12.50%), indicating a synergistic interaction beyond the additive yield expectation. Comparative market assessments revealed marked inconsistencies in CPO aesthetics including colour tone, clarity and phase uniformity attributable to uncontrolled stearin-olein ratios and heterogeneous processing methods. Physicochemical analyses (free fatty acids, peroxide, acid, iodine, saponification and cholesterol values) further distinguished varietal and processing influences on oil quality. The study established that varietal composition critically determines CPO yield and visual properties while process variability underlies the lack of national product uniformity, emphasizing the potential of predictive modeling to harmonize stearin-olein profiles for consistent quality outcomes. These findings provide a scientific basis for product standardization, value chain optimization and branding strategies for Nigerian crude palm oil in domestic and export markets.
