Babassu oil, similar to coconut oil, is derived from the babassu palm in Brazil and is used in cooking, cosmetics, and biofuel. It has a low melting temperature and is beneficial for all skin types, including those with eczema. Its wild harvest is a major industry in Brazil.
Babassu oil is derived from the fruits of the babassu palm, a tree native to the rainforests of Brazil. The oil is similar to coconut oil and is used in cooking and cosmetics. It is light yellow in color and semi-soft at room temperature, but melts easily when rubbed on the skin. This oil is increasingly becoming a substitute for coconut oil, and its wild harvest is a major industry in Brazil.
The babassu palm was discovered by the French paleontologist AD d’Orbigny in the early 19th century. The native South Americans called the tree babassu, and d’Orbigny gave it the scientific name Orbignya oleifera. This palm grows up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall. It has several clusters of up to 500 fruits that resemble small coconuts. The oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of these fruits. Babassu oil is made up of 70 percent lipids, with a high percentage of lauric and myristic acids. It is these acids that give the oil its low melting temperature.
When babassu oil comes into contact with the skin, it draws out heat and creates a cooling effect. It is a common ingredient in lotions, creams, lip balms, and hair conditioners. The oil forms a protective layer on the skin that is neither greasy nor shiny, and can be used on all skin types. It is also useful for people with eczema and other types of dermatitis because it is mild and non-comedogenic.
Babassu oil is also commonly used in soaps. It easily turns into soap and produces a hard bar. Soaps made from this plant lather up quite a bit, but they are usually blended with other oils with a higher oleic acid content, such as sunflower oil, to prevent the soap from drying out the skin. Babassu soap oil is easily absorbed into the skin and relieves itchy skin.
Scientists have been experimenting with babassu oil as a biofuel, and in 2008 Virgin Airways sponsored a trial in which babassu and coconut oils were used to partially power a Boeing 747 engine. As a sustainable fuel, babassu oil it holds promise because it is only harvested in the wild from rainforests, so it does not contribute to deforestation. The peels of the fruits can also be used as biomass for fuel after the oil has been harvested.
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