Palm tocotrienol exports hit RM21.55 mln in 7 months
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia exported palm tocotrienols to a tune of some RM21.55 million or 19.45 tonnes from January to July this year, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Its director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the increasing clinical evidence of palm tocotrienol benefits is seen to boost the export value.
“In the Asia Pacific region, the pharmaceutical, medical food, and clinical nutrition market are predicted to grow at a faster compound growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5 per cent through 2022, followed by dietary and food supplement and other applications. Until 2022, revenue from vitamin E tocotrienols is expected to expand at a CAGR of 23.5 per cent.
“I’m sure this export will be expanding and there is a bright future for tocotrienol when it comes to pharmaceutical,” he said during the “Advances on Tocotrienol Research and Development” webinar.
He said the global market size of tocotrienols is valued at US$321.5 million in 2018 and tocotrienols’ potential value in 2025/2026 is expected to reach US$522 million (US$1=RM4.50).
Ahmad Parveez’s presentation was rendered by MPOB head of nutrition unit, product development and advisory services division Dr Kanga Rani Selvaduray.
He said palm-tocotrienol is a natural, safe nutraceutical/ food ingredient bestowed with a bouquet of health-promoting effects namely on combating non-communicable diseases.
“In palm oil, 70 per cent of the composition of vitamin E is tocotrienols, while 30 per cent is made of tocopherols. Vitamin E is important in preserving oil stability, extending the shelf-life as well as contributing to health benefits,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Parveez said MPOB has opened up the tocotrienol matching grant: Phase II Clinical Studies On The Health Benefits of Tocotrienols: to Malaysian universities, research institutes, and members of the oil palm industry.
So far, 11 projects had been approved, he noted.
“MPOB, together with the Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA), have been encouraged to put up a claim for tocotrienols with the Ministry of Health (MoH).
“After several rounds of discussion, we have actually gone through the public comment level and soon tocotrienols can be claimed as an antioxidant, help to reduce oxidative stress as well as help improve cognitive function.
“We are waiting for the letter from the MoH to allow the industry players to use this claim prior to getting it gazetted in the Malaysian Food Act,” he said.