Sorsogon’s major pili-oil producer announced that it has expanded its output to 8,000 liters per month, thanks to machines it received from Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in late 2012.
Leslie Pili Products, which has been annually processing pili since 2000 with a combined output of 1,000 liters per month, can now extract 5,000 liters of pulp oil and 3,000 liters of kernel oil.
Company owner Melinda Yee said the Leslie Pili Products had decided to acquire machines such as de-pulper and pulp extractor from the DOST to meet the growing demand for pili oil in the Philippines and overseas.
Yee, who pioneered the industry in Sorsogon, ships a huge chunk of her products to manufacturers of so-called vanity products.
One of the biggest buyers of Yee’s pili oil is Rosalina Tan, who manufactures beauty products under the “Naturale Wonders” label.
Yee said Tan’s purchases have amounted to 500 liters. The oil is used as component in the production of organic lipstick, lip balm, shampoo, soap and hand sanitizer.
Tess Yutadco, who is based in San Diego, California, and is into anti-aging beauty products, ships pili pulp oil abroad, Yee said. Yutadco reportedly prefers the antioxidant properties of pili oil.
Yee said Yutadco is currently her biggest client as she buys up to 800 liters of pili oil from her firm.
Leslie Pili products are also exported to wellness outfits in Australia and Singapore, she said. A study conducted by the University of Philippines–Los Baños Biotech bankrolled by Peace and Equity Foundation through Organic Producers and Trade Association found carotenoids, which are as effective as antioxidants, in pili oil.
With mechanization and an increase in output, Leslie Pili Products is now able to also supply pili oil to food manufacturers, Yee said.
Yee said Café by the Ruins in Baguio City, which uses pili oil to dress its salads, is one of the company’s customers.
An article published in the International Food Research Journal this year said pili oil has sufficient amounts of glycerides of oleic and palmitic acids, making it suitable for food production.
The article also noted that pili oil is similar to olive oil which is known for its high content of monounsaturated fatty acid and may be used to replace olive oil in manufacturing sardines.
A milligram of pili pulp oil is sold at P1.50, or P1,500 per liter, while a milligram of pili kernel goes for P6 or P6,000 per liter.
Image credits: Oliver Samson