Babassu

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Part of The Coconut Journal

Title: Babassu
extracted text: • 1he coconut tree bas a thousand and one HSes but so bas the Rabassu of Brazil. BABASSU By DOMINGO B. PAGUIRIGAN Bureau of Plant Industry BABASSU is genuine Brazilian Palm which forms vast and dense groves in various states of the country particularly in Maranhao and Pisui. Its habitat covers an extensive area, which in cludes the Amazon and Mato Crosso, down to Bo livia. It also occurs in the state of Minas Gerais growing simultaneously with the Macaubapalm (Ac crocomia sclerocarpa). Scientific Classification-Orbignia speciosa (Barbosa Rodrigues), Family, Palmae. Regional Distribution-It is in the state of Maranhao that one finds the largest area covered with Babassu palms, forming very large groves with approximately 13 billion palms-an extension of some 8,655,400 hectares (21,387,493), each palm yield an average of 1,000 nuts which means a total of Maranhao is estimated at 195 million tons of kernels, the yearly Brazilian production capacity is estimated at 300 million tons of kernels. Uses-Practically all of the Babassu is used. The leaves are used in the manufacture of straw hats, purses, mats, sieves, and baskets. The nut is burned green to smoke up latex, as it produces a thick smoke. The kernel has several uses. A fiber having various uses is scutched from the epicarp. The yellowish fecula extracted from the mesocarp is a nutritious meal from which beverages similar to chocolate, and mushes for children and convales cents, are made. The endocarp, which represents 75 �� of the nut, can be used as a substitute for vegetable ivo1·y where this is used in place of home for making small articles, such as buttons, insu lators, etc. Tests made in the United States showed that the absorbent substance (fuller) can be used in the composition of dynamites. The mescocarp is also used as insulating material. From the shell the following products can be obtained, Calcium acetate, Methyl alcohol, acotic acid, vinegar from pyrolignous acid, light and heavy I ubricating oils dyes. Carbolic acid, creosol, iron inks, tars, rossins, and a high-quality fuel. The oil is used both as lubricant and as fuel; in the perfume industry, it is used in the manufac ture of quality soaps; in cooking, it subtitutes lard and olive oil. The butter made from babassu as good and nutritious as that made from milk, is al ready used . The stalks of the palms are used as stays or props. Chemical and composition-The babassu nut is composed of the following parts: Epicarp . Mesocarp . Endocarp . Kernel . . 11% 23% 57% 9% The epicarp is composed of resistant fibers. that cover the moscocarp. . The mesocarp is composed of a compact, •pulpy substance, violaceous white with a high percentage of starch and tannic acid. The endocarp is the enclosure of the kernel if is a compact tissue of ligneous cells, it can be · used in the making of buttons, etc., it contains hydrochloric acid, silica, iron phosphorus, magne sium, and alka-line metals. The seed is actually the kernel which yield and oil of a high industrial value, the analysis of which reads as follows: Looming as a Competitor to the Phmppine coconut from which Vegetable Oil is made in the babassu tree of Brazil. Page 2:> Density at is degree C ... Melting Point . . . . . . . Acidity index . . . Saponification index . . . Iodine value . . . . . . . . 9218 23.2 c 237.4 12.82 14.11 The cake-After the extraction of the oil from the kernel the residue, which still contains a cer tain amount of oil is pressed into cakes, used as cattle food, enjoying a great demand in foreign markets. Te epicarp, the mesocarp and the endicarp can be actually used as fuel for various tests have been made with positive, encouraging results. A methodical study concerning the treatment of babassu coke gave the following results: 30% 60% 8 % 1.5 % metallurgical coke acetic acid tar methyl alcohol The coke analyzed in the laboratory of the "Escole dos arte et Metiers" in France, gave the following results: 90 '7o 5.4 �0 4.4 �·� 0.85 �0 pure carbon volatile matter aches total humidity As a dry fuel it gives 7,700 calories. It is con sidered a most excellent fuel because it does not contain sulphur or arsenic and has but a very small percentage of phosphorus. Status of Industry.-The babassu oil industry in Brazil is still in its primary stage, in spite of the existence of a few mills, especially in the State of Maranhao. The United States and Europe give a preference to babassu nuts yielding from 65% to 66% oil. Trade.-Following is a list :showing exports of babassunuts, during a period of live years. Year Tons 19�3 613 1934 214 1935 9,809 1936 30,276 1937 21,777 Dollars Paper 28,499 . ' ' . . ' . . . . . 15,234 ' 769,433 . ' . ' . ' . 3,365,33e .... .. .. .. . 2,467,538 . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $ $ $ Average value Per Ton $ 46 $ 70 $77 $109 $112. -From Agricultural-Colllmacial-lndustrial LifP ---'J'-Page 26 The COCONUT .JOFRNAJ, PRODUCER GAS • . . (Continued tro-m page 19) passes through the oil, the inlet being submerged in the liquid. Another type depends on the splashin).(" of the oil on to plates over which the oil and on maintaiu ing the oil at the correct level. Coolers It is of the greatest importance that the gas should be cooled to as low a temperature as possihle before entering the engine. Adequate cooling ensures that the gas delivered to the engine is at its maximum density, giving the greatest charge (by weight) for the cylinders. Some makers have provided special cool ers for this purpose in the form of radiators or nests of pipes through which the gas passes and so placed that they are cooled by the air as the vehicle moves. A separate cooler is not always necessary if the scrub bers afford ample cooling, but it can usually be classed as highly desirable. Coolers should not require any attention apart from occasional inspection to see that no soot is accumulating. Fans Or Blowers With some producer equipment it is usual to sup ply a fan or blower to be operated by hand in order to heat the furnace before starting. The fans are very similar to those used on the blacksmith's forges :md need no description. Other makers depend on the en gine to supply the draught for starting the fire and start the engine on petrol. This method of startinl!" COMPLIMENTS of LA NUEVA ECIJANA AGRI CULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION EXPORTER OF BURl BRAIDS SAX AXTO:XJO, :Xl"E\. A ECI.I.\ * Josefina Fine * Josefina Studio Hat Store and and Branches Beauty Parlor * Kalayaan Studio * The Real Studio and Branches and Branches Telephone: 5-23-59 Telephone: 2-82-95 D. V. SURIO Gent'ral ManagN· 197 Calle Libertad Pasay, Rizal
Date: 1941
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