You don't typically "change" palm oil to vegetable oil, but rather refine palm oil so that it meets the standards to be considered a type of vegetable oil. This refining process involves several steps to remove impurities and improve its characteristics.
Palm Oil Refining Process
The process of refining palm oil to meet vegetable oil standards generally includes these four key steps:
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Degumming: This stage removes gums and phospholipids from the palm oil. These impurities can affect the oil's stability and appearance.
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Deacidification (Neutralization): This process removes free fatty acids (FFAs) which contribute to rancidity and a soapy taste. This is usually achieved by adding an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, which reacts with the FFAs to form soapstock, which is then removed.
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Decolorization (Bleaching): This step removes pigments and color bodies from the oil, improving its appearance. This is commonly done using bleaching earth or activated carbon.
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Deodorization: This final step removes volatile compounds that contribute to undesirable odors and flavors. This is typically done by steam distillation under vacuum at high temperatures.
Once these steps are completed, the refined palm oil is considered a type of vegetable oil, meeting specific quality standards for factors like acidity, color, and odor. It can then be used in a wide range of applications, including cooking and food manufacturing.
