The world demand for palm oil has soared in the last two decades, first for its use in food, consumer products and more recently as the raw material for the production of biofuel.

Demand for palm oil is on the move as biofuel and biodiesel demand is growing steadily. The main thing is to inprove the oil yield from palm oil plant. For this purpose strong research and development efforts are going on across the major palm oil producing countries.

Palm oil comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree, a tropical species that originated in West Africa, but now is being grown as a hybrid in many parts of the world, including South East Asia and Central America.  The relatively low priced oil is used for a variety of purposes.

The world demand for palm oil has soared in the last two decades, first for its use in food, consumer products and more recently as the raw material for the production of biofuel. The growing affluence of India and China, the worlds top two importing nations, will increase demand of edible vegetable oils.  In the US, a recent wave of dietary focus on the trans-fat issues has led to increased consumption as well.

The recent sequencing of palm tree genomes is the most exciting development for the palm oil industry this century as it will help identify the varieties which are more resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as offer the exciting possibility of manipulating the inherent qualities of the edible oil.  The possibilities are endless.

However, palm oil as it stands is already a formidable produce as, apart from producing edible oil, oleo chemicals and biofuel, it is also harvested for its phytonutrient rich and health attributes.

One company that is working on the existing positive health attributes of palm oil in extracting and selling palm tocotrienols for medical and anti-aging purposes is Carotech Bhd, a producer of Palm oil based phytonutrients and biodiesel.  Its managing director, David Ho revealed that European clients are starting to buy more palm oil vitamin E to formulate supplements that prevent hair loss.

Asked on Carotech's earning growth prospects, Ho said it very much hinges on the Hospital Kepala Batas clinical trial on the ability of palm oil vitamin, particularly tocotrienols, to prevent stroke.

"Animal studies have, so far, shown tocotrienols are able to protect brain cells from dying in the event of a stroke. If this trial in Penang proves that it works on human, many lives will be saved," Ho said.

"We're optimistic of a breakthrough finding that will spur more neuro-protective studies in other countries. As the world population age, people look to natural and preventive medicine that can help preserve the quality of life of stroke victims and their loved ones.

"Natural medication of palm tocotrienols for stroke prevention is set to be a multi-billion dollar market," he added.

Conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Carotech's team of scientists, preliminary findings of this world's biggest human trial involving 400 volunteers consuming palm tocotrienols to prevent stroke will be revealed in January 2011. THE END.