Abstract

Crude palm oil, extracted from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), is the world’s most widely produced and consumed vegetable oil. However, the food quality of this oil is influenced by its acidification and the negative effects associated with this acidity. Recent work on progenies from the DA 115 D of the Deli population and LM 2 T of the La Mé population involved in seed production has shown variability in oil acidity within and between these progenies, suggesting the possibility of selection to improve palm oil quality in these progenies. To improve the quality of the oil produced in Côte d’Ivoire, progeny from crosses between double self-fertilized progenitors of DA 115 D and LM 2 T origins were evaluated. The acidity of these progenies was determined using the near infrared spectrometer (NIR). The results showed that 4 progenies were homogeneous with low acidities (acidity < 5%) and 9 progenies were heterogeneous with low and medium acidities (5% < acidity < 10%). In addition, only offspring from combinations involving LM 2509 D AF were homogeneous. As a result, the average acidity of each progeny was all below 5%.

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