Oil Seeds
| Infobox on Oil Seeds | |
|---|---|
| Example of Oil Seeds |  |
| Facts | |
| Origin | - |
| Stowage factor (in m3/t) | - |
| Angle of repose | - |
| Humidity / moisture | - |
| Oil content | - |
| Ventilation | - |
| Risk factors | - |
Oil Seeds
Contents
Description
Used for the extraction of oil and shipped in bulk, or in bags. Small changes in moisture content dependent on the condition of the atmosphere will not normally cause damage to oilseeds. If, however, seeds are stored in a confined space, the lack of ventilation may lead to heating and sweating and evaporation may be excessive in parts of the seed with condensation in other parts, leading to local mould growth. This will lead to rapid increase in free fatty acid content of the oil.
In the early stages seeds stick together and form lumps, which break up easily unless the damage has become severe, when a bag of seeds may become a solid block. Claims may be put forward on the ground that there has been a high increase in acid value or ‘free fatty acid’ in consequence of decrease in oil content. This type of loss may be partly attributable to the nature of the seed itself, i.e. quality (green), unfavourable weather at the time of harvest, insufficient drying etc. The analysis on out-turn of both sound and damaged seeds should be checked as a guide to assessment of allowance. If seeds are wet and mildewed the oil extracted may not be seriously damaged or not damaged at all, as there is not an increase in acidity. Chemical tests should be carried out to determine the damage, if any.
Damage may also take the form of heating or bacteria activity causing hot spots, fermentation and, in some cases, loss in weight. Heating in storage will lead to mould growth and, in some cases where the temperature is high, scorching of the seed will be obvious.
Insect attack is more common with groundnuts than with Palm Kernels, and may be recognised in the case of nuts in shell by the entry holes, and in kernels, by numerous holes and the presence of larvae.
Insect damage as well as heating results in increased fatty acid. With insect damage, an intense attack will be denoted by the presence of a quantity of fine metal associated with the kernels.
Normally there is no danger of loss of colour in groundnuts and palm kernels during transit. They may, however, be discoloured due to damage by one of the other causes indicated above. Loss of weight can occur due to the loss of moisture or to extensive insect infestation. The former is only determined by an analysis of the seed. It depends on the humidity at the time of weighing, as there is an equilibrium moisture take-up of the seed dependent on atmospheric conditions. If the nuts are loaded under conditions of high humidity there is every possibility that they will lose weight in transit. See also individual commodity headings.
Reference is made to the relevant IMO regulations on hazardous cargo ("Seed Cake").
Full information on this product is in the process of completion.