Palm kernel meal

Soybean meal is the most frequently used source of supplemental protein in the United States (5). Cottonseed meal is another important protein supplement. Both meals are by-products from oil extraction of the seeds. Canola meal is derived from rapeseed low in emcic acid [112-86-7] and glucosinolates. Linseed (derived from flax seed), peanut, sunflower, safflower, sesame, coconut, and palm kernel meals are other sources of supplemental protein that are by-products of oil extraction (4). 

Includes rapeseed, fish, copra, and palm kernel meals. 

Onifade, A.A. and Babatunde, G.M. (1998) Comparison of the utilisation of palm kernel meal, brewers dried grains and maize offal by broiler chicks. British Poultry Science 39, 245-250. 

Linseed meal, palm kernel meal, full fat soybean, soybean meal, sunflower meal,... 

Full fat rapeseed, full fat sunflower, full fat cottonseed, copra meal, palm kernel meal and cottonseed meal... 

Palm kernel meal generally refers to the product obtained after solvent extraction of palm oil from the oil palm, whereas palm kernel cake is produced by mechanical extraction. In practice, the term palm kernel meal is often used to describe either product. This food has a comparatively low content of protein, and the balance of amino acids is poor. The first limiting amino acid is lysine. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is more favourable than in many other oilseed residues. The meal is dry and gritty, especially the solvent-extracted product, and is not readily eaten it is therefore used in mixtures with more acceptable foods. Attempts to use it mixed with molasses, as molassed palm kernel cake, have not been successful. It has a reputation for increasing the fat content of milk, and its chief use is for dairy cows. Palm kernel meal has been described as being balanced for milk production, but in fact it contains too high a proportion of protein to energy. 

Palm kernel meal has traditionally not been used widely in pig and poultry diets. This is partly because it is unpalatable and partly because of its high fibre content... 

Biochemical stress can be minimized by using frequent feedings to minimize dependence on fatty acid oxidation, particularly for the liver. Meals should have a high-carbohydrate, low-fat content. Medium-chain triglycerides (synthetic or derived from coconut or palm kernel oils) can be used as these lipids can be oxidized independent of carnitine. These steps are particularly important when any external metabolic stress, such as a viral illness, is present. 

At the palm oil mills, about 20% CPO and 1.6% of PKO are recovered from the FFB thus leaving about 78.4% biomass, including pahn kernel meal. 

There are four primary reasons why the mechanical extraction process is still selectively used. First, the mechanical extraction process can be furnished in very small scale, as low as 10 tons per day. The capital cost for small mechanical extraction facilities is considerably less than small solvent extraction facilities. In remote locations, freight differential can compensate for higher operating costs and lower yields. Second, there is a niche, high-value market for natural oils that have not been in contact with solvents or chemicals, requiring the use of mechanical extraction. Third, mechanical extraction can create a high bypass protein meal for ruminant animals that sells at a price premium over solvent extracted meal. Finally, mechanical extraction is often considered more reliable than solvent extraction when processing difficult materials (copra and palm kernel) in hot, tropical climates. 

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