The obtained butter is not standardized; consequently, its direct utilization in food and pharmaceutical industries is limited. Nevertheless, crude shea butter is traditionally used in food preparation, hair and skincare, and raw material in traditional medicines. The semi-mechanical methods decrease the labor burden and improve extraction yield.
Who is the largest Shea Nut processor in Ghana?
Since 2006, GSFIL has grown to become the largest processor of shea nuts in Ghana, manufacturing shea oils and butter. With a processing capability of upwards of 25,000 tonnes a year, making it the biggest shea nut processor in Ghana.
How is shea butter made?
The traditional process of shea butter production begins with the collection of ripe fallen fruits from the trees. Obtention of nuts, treatment of nuts to obtain kernels, production of paste from kernels, and extraction of oil or emulsion from paste are diverse, depending on the region, the ethnic group, even sometimes on the producer¡¯s know-how.
What is a mechanical extraction press?
The mechanical extraction press principle involves separating the oil, water, and shea nut cake from pre-prepared water¨Cpaste emulsion shown in Fig. 5. The extraction machine encompasses a movable unit driven by a motor/engine. The separated entities (oil, water, and cake) occur in layers and according to their mass.