Q. With reference to ‘palm oil’ consider the following statements:
1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B
Notes:

Why this Question? Recently Honorable Prime Minister announced a new national initiative on palm oil production to help increase farm incomes. The mission named as National Edible Oil mission- Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). 

Ans) b 

Exp) Option b is correct. 

Statement 1 is incorrect. Palm oil is derived from the oil palm tree which is native to West Africa (and not Southeast Asia) and grows best in tropical climates with abundant water.  

Statement 2 is correct. It is used in cosmetics products like lipstick and perfumes and cleaning products. Palm oil is one of the best options and most cost-effective cosmetics ingredients. It is versatile. Due to its high fatty acid content, it can be used to make surfactants, emulsifiers and emollients. 

Statement 3 is correct. The Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel. It can be used in compression ignition engines, i.e., diesel engines without any modifications. It refers to methyl esters derived from palm oil through a process known as transesterification. 

Source:  https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/palm-oil-and-biodiversity  

http://www.palmoilworld.org/biodiesel.html 

Subject) Environment 

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