What Is RBDPOL (RBD Palm Olein)? Specifications, Fractionation, and Uses
- RBDPOL (refined, bleached, deodorized palm olein) is the liquid fraction of RBD palm oil most widely used globally as cooking oil.[1]
- PORAM specifications list FFA maximum 0.1%, moisture and impurities maximum 0.1%, iodine value minimum 56, and melting point maximum 24 °C.[2]
- Olein quality is graded by cloud point, such as CP6 (≤6 °C), CP8 (≤8 °C), and CP10 (≤10 °C).[3]
- It is obtained by dry fractionation of RBDPO, yielding about 65% olein and 35% stearin.[4]
- It is used for cooking oil, frying, salad oil, margarine, confectionery, non-dairy creamer, and shortening.[1]
RBDPOL is the liquid fraction of palm oil that is the world’s most popular cooking oil raw material. Its ability to stay liquid in tropical room temperatures and its high stability make it a primary choice for the food industry.
What Is RBDPOL?
RBDPOL or refined, bleached, deodorized palm olein is the liquid fraction of RBD palm oil separated by fractionation. This product is the most widely traded palm oil fraction and is used as cooking oil worldwide.[1]
Unlike RBD palm oil which is semi-solid at room temperature, RBDPOL stays liquid because of its higher unsaturated triglyceride content. This property makes it suitable for liquid cooking oil and frying.[1]
RBDPOL quality is often stated by cloud point, the temperature at which the oil begins to turn cloudy due to crystallization. The lower the cloud point, the clearer the oil at cool temperatures.[3]
Product Specifications
RBDPOL quality is set based on free fatty acids, moisture and impurities, iodine value, melting point, color, and cloud point. PORAM standards list FFA maximum 0.1%, moisture and impurities maximum 0.1%, iodine value minimum 56, and melting point maximum 24 °C.[2]
| Parameter | CP6 | CP8 | CP10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free fatty acids (% max.) | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Moisture and impurities (% max.) | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Iodine value (min.) | 60 | 58 | 56 |
| Melting point (°C max.) | 18 | 18 | 24 |
| Cloud point (°C max.) | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Color (red max.) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Parameter | PORAM | SNI 01-0018 |
|---|---|---|
| Free fatty acids (% max.) | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Moisture and impurities (% max.) | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Iodine value (g I2/100 g, min.) | 56 | 56 |
| Melting point (°C max.) | 24 | – |
| Color (Lovibond cell, red max.) | 3 or 6 | – |
Fractionation Process
Fractionation is controlled cooling or winterization of palm oil into liquid (olein) and solid (stearin) fractions. The process uses differences in triglyceride melting points without chemicals.[4]
In dry fractionation, RBDPO is cooled slowly to 18–25 °C for 6–12 hours with gentle agitation. Triglycerides rich in tripalmitin with high melting points crystallize, then are separated from the liquid fraction by filtration.[5]
Single fractionation yields about 65% olein and 35% stearin. Double fractionation yields super olein with cloud point below 5 °C suitable for products that need clarity at cool temperatures.[4][5]
Uses
RBDPOL is used as raw material for liquid cooking oil, salad oil, and frying oil. Its high stability makes it suitable for large-scale frying and ready-to-eat foods.[1]
In other food industries, RBDPOL is used for margarine, confectionery, non-dairy creamer, shortening, and ice cream. This fraction is also a feedstock for vanaspati and milk-fat replacer products.[1]
Low cloud point grades such as CP6 are used for products that need clarity at cool temperatures, while CP10 is widely used for general frying.[3]
Summary
RBDPOL is the liquid fraction of RBD palm oil with FFA maximum 0.1% and iodine value minimum 56. It is separated by dry fractionation into olein and stearin, and is graded by cloud point such as CP6, CP8, and CP10. RBDPOL is used for cooking oil, frying, margarine, confectionery, and non-dairy creamer.
References
- STA Resources. Refined, Bleached & Deodorized Palm Olein — specifications and applications. https://www.sta.co.id/products/id
- Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). PORAM Standard Specifications — RBD palm olein. https://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/POEB/poeb76-4.pdf
- Accio. RBD Palm Oil Specification — CP6, CP8, CP10. https://www.accio.com/plp/rbd-palm-oil-specification
- World Bank. Fractionation of palm oil — dry, detergent, and solvent fractionation. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/479851468182957759/pdf/FAU3.pdf
- TasteLab. Palm Oil Fractionation — concepts and process. https://www.tastelab.food/encyclopedia/concepts/palm-oil-fractionation