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  • How is shea butter fractionated?
  • Once refined, shea butter can be fractionated into two parts: a creamy fat known as shea stearin and a liquid oil called shea olein—otherwise known as shea oil. Fractionation separates these two unique components using either a chemical reagent or physical methods like centrifugation.
  • Does shea butter need solvent extraction?
  • For these reasons, solvent extraction is generally not preferred for shea butter extraction—especially in food and cosmetic markets where consumers seek natural, organic ingredients. What is shea oil? Traditional water extraction, mechanical expeller pressing, and solvent extraction yield shea butter.
  • Is there a mechanical expression rig for dry extraction of shea butter?
  • Development of mechanical expression rig for dry extraction of shea butter from shea kernel. Journal of Food Science and Technology 44:465-470. Olaniyan AM, Oje K (2007b). Quality characteristics of shea butter recovered from shea kernel through dry extraction process. Journal of Food Science and Technology 44 (4):404-407.
  • What are the processing technologies of shea butter?
  • Shea butter extraction technologies Addaquaye (2004) classified the processing technologies of shea butter into three methods: the traditional manual method, traditional semi–mechanized method and the fully mechanized method.
  • What is shea butter used for?
  • Shea butter is a high-value shea nut fat used as an edible oil, antimicrobial and moisturiser in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, respectively. The annual worldwide export of shea nut from Africa is 350,000 MT of kernels with a market value of approximately $120 million to producing countries.
  • Should hexane be used for shea butter extraction?
  • The choice of hexane over other solvents for shea butter extraction is also informed by several factors: the physical properties of the solvent, the fAbdul-Mumeen et al. commercial economics of the butter and the edibility of shea oil from the extraction (Abdul–Mumeen, 2013).