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  • What is the mechanical press method of shea butter extraction?
  • The mechanical press method of shea butter extraction has been reported by FAO and CFC (2002) but one of the earliest research on the use of the mechanical press was by Marchand (1988). His research revealed that equipped with a jack that exerts 30 tonnes of force, a shea butter press could crush more than 3 kg of shea kernels within 20 minutes.
  • What is a shea nut kernel?
  • The kernel is the oil-bearing material that can be obtained by processing the shea nut fruit. The fruit primarily undergoes several processes - de-pulping, boiling, drying, deshelling, winnowing and sorting - to obtain the kernel from which the shea butter is extracted. Mechanical processing technology
  • How is shea butter processed?
  • Shea butter processing is a seasonal affair. Fruiting and gathering of shea nuts occur between May and August each year. In this stage, shea nuts are processed into kernel form. Both raw and ripe fruits are green but ripe fruit is occasionally yellowish and soft when felt.
  • What equipment does Kumar offer for shea butter extraction?
  • Kumar offers several equipment specially designed for shea butter extraction, including kernel processing, expellers, solvent extraction and also for refining, bleaching, and deodorization to produce refined shea butter. Many such equipment have been supplied to several countries and several are in the process of installation and commissioning.
  • Which countries export savanna nut?
  • Traders call this savanna belt as “Shea Belt”. Ghana and Burkina Faso are the major exporters of shea nut. Now, Shea butter is also exported. Today, shea nuts and shea butter have become globally traded commodities. Eight major exporters of dry shea kernel are Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Togo.
  • What is shea butter used for?
  • Shea butter is used as an edible oil and as an antimicrobial in pharmaceutical applications and as moisturizer in cosmetic industries. Because of its high nutritive value and low cholesterol levels, shea butter is an excellent alternative to table oil. Conventionally, shea butter is widely used in the treatment for ailments such as leprosy.