DHUPA fat
is obtained from seed kernels of DHUPA also known as Indian copal tree
(Vateria Indica Linn.). DHUPA trees grow mostly in moist evergreen
forests in the Western Ghats and foothills from North Kanara (Karnataka) to Kerala through
the Ghat forests of South Kanara, Coorg, Malabar and Coimbatore. It is also occasionally
found in deciduous forests, adjoining rivers in the aforementioned areas. Apart from the
Ghats, DHUPA trees are also found on the Deccan Plateau and along the Arabian sea-coast,
the altitudinal range being from 60 to 1220 metres. DHUPA trees have also been extensively
planted as an avenue tree in parts of Karnataka and Kerala states. The flowering time is
from January to March and fruits ripen from May to July. The fruits are fleshy, wingless,
about 50 to 60 mm long and contain one large seed. The collection and processing of
fruits/seeds for fat extraction poses considerable difficulties due to heavy rains and
lack of infrastructural facilities. These are common problems for quite a number of tree
bearing oilseeds maturing at the onset of monsoon. Despite above difficulties, small
collections are being made and the full potential has to be tapped by removing the
impediments.
Prior to 1970, no organised attempts were made to collect and process the fruits. The
Directorate of non-edible oils and the soap industry of the Khadi and Village Industries
commission, a pioneer in the exploration and development of other non traditional oil
resources launched a pilot scheme in 1971, to collect dhupa seeds and study the problems
associated with its handling, storage and extraction.
DHUPA SEED
DHUPA kernels contain 19 to 23 percent of a pale-yellow fat having a tallow-like
consistency, which turns white on standing . The fat is known by a number of names, such
as Malabar tallow, Piney tallow and DHUPA tallow. Stearic acid (38 to 47 percent), oleic
acid (38 to 48 percent) and palmitic acid (9 to 15 percent) are the major fatty acids of DHUPA
fat. The fat derived from DHUPA kernels after refining is suitable for edible uses. It may
also be used as a cocoa butter substitute or extender after proper processing. It may also
be used in yarn sizing and manufacture of soaps and candles. It has sizable potential for
availability.
Dhupa fat is
a semi-solid greenish yellow, or nearly white fat, having faint pleasant odour. Its fatty
acid composition is C16(9.0%), C18(46.9%), C18:1(41.4%, C18:2(1.3%) and C20(1.4%). Acetone
fractionation gives 75% yield of stearine with SOS content of 85%. This stearine is used
with palm mid-fraction for preparing cocoa butter substitute.
Seed Cake
The hexane defatted cake is
hard, bitter and unpalatable to livestock but is useful as a manure. It is very low in
protein (6.7 percent). The nitogen free extract constitutes 73.8 percent which includes a
small amount of resinous material. Upgrading the meal as energy source for animal feeds
would improve the economics of collection. A mixture of wheat bran, or ground nut oil meal
improves the palatability and consumption.
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