Genetic determinism of oil acidity among some DELI oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) progenies

Abstract

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is cultivated mainly for crude palm oil (CPO) which is extracted from the mesocarp of fruits. The quality of CPO is generally impaired due to high acidity, as a result of the activity of a lipase present in the mesocarp of the fruits at maturity. The objective of this study was to establish the genetic determinism of “palm oil acidity” (POA) from E. guineensis. Acidity was analyzed on CPO from the mesocarp of ripe fruits of some DELI parent palms used for the production of commercial seeds at CEREPAH Dibamba. Acidity analysis of 457 individuals from 11 progenies, issued from nine parents showed that, the segregation of forms with respect to this trait is compatible with a monohybridism with dominance. The dominant allele denoted that “Pa” determines high acidity while the recessive allele “pa” favours production of oil with low acidity.

Keywords: Elaeis guineensis Jacq., free fatty acid content, crude palm oil, inheritance