OIL FROM APRICOT STONES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26319, 13 January 1951, Page 2

OIL FROM APRICOT STONES

EXPERIMENTS IN DUNEDIN

Hundreds of tons of apricots are grown in Central Otago each season but at least 8 per cent, of the total weight is wasted because the shell and kernel are thrown away. The kernel of the apricot yields an edible oil which can be used in place of olive oil. and apricot oil can also be used in making cosmetics. With the aim of using the shells and kernels of apricots a Dunedin canning firm some time ago imported a machine for breaking the stones. It was hoped at that time that the kernels might prove a useful substitute for almonds, which became difficult to obtain during the war. The experiments were not altogether successful as the kernel was found to be too bitter. Several difficulties were also encountered in processing. When a stone was dried it was found that the kernel soon became mouldy, and unless it was dried it required heavy blows to crack the shell. However, the kernel was found to have other uses, the making of “marzipan paste,” for instance, as well as the oil.

One of the greatest difficulties is that there is only a limited supply of stones available.” as it would be impossible to collect them from homes. All that is being done to-day with apricot stones is to use them for fuel, though in other countries they are regarded as •having considerable commercial value.