Shea Butter: Origins, Production, Uses and Benefits

Shea butter has gained widespread significance globally in recent decades due to its versatile properties. As the demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics and various products has grown, there is increased attention on the use of shea butter in diverse applications.

This articles provide a overview of shea butter, covering its origin, production process, applications, benefits across different uses, and commercial aspects.

What is Shea Butter

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the kernels of shea nuts using a shea butter processing machines, native to the savannah regions of West and East Africa. The shea tree is also known by other names, including Karité in French-speaking regions. Shea butter has been used for centuries in Africa for its moisturizing and healing properties and is a key ingredient in various cosmetic and skincare products.

Origins of Shea Butter:

Shea plants predominantly grow in the “Shea Belt,” a 5000-km wide belt of savanna in sub-Saharan northern Africa.

Geographic Distribution: Shea trees are primarily found in the following African countries:

• West Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo, Benin, and others.
• East Africa: Sudan, Uganda & Ethiopia.
• Central Africa: Chad & Central African Republic.

Major exporters of dry shea kernel: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Togo. About 250,000 to 350,000 Tons of dry shea kernels are exported by these countries across the world.

Botanical Information:

• Shea trees belong to the Sapotaceous family, with the botanical name Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.
• Another botanical name, Butyrospermum parkii, is considered synonymous with Vitellaria paradoxa.
• West African shea trees are known as Vitellaria paradoxa, while east African plants are called Vitellaria nilotica.

Growth and Harvesting:

• Wild shea trees take 20 to 50 years to reach maturity and can produce shea nuts for up to 200 years.
• Shea trees can grow up to 9 to 12 meters in height, blossoming during February-March, with fruit maturing from June to July.
• The harvested shea fruit, with light green color and a size of two to three inches in diameter, contains kernels from which shea butter is extracted.
• The fruit is comprised of an outer cover (epicarp), pulpy portion (mesocarp), and a hard shell (endocarp) containing the shea kernel.

The shea nuts undergo boiling in water to prevent seed germination and shield them from the hydrolytic degradation of the extracted shea butter. However, this boiling process may lead to increased fat oxidation, resulting in a higher peroxide value. Subsequently, the boiled shea nuts are sun-dried, though there is a risk of mold contamination, especially during the rainy season. The dried shea nuts are then cracked open to separate the kernels from the shell. These kernels are either sun-dried or roasted to eliminate any remaining moisture.

Alternatively, the shea nuts can be roasted or smoked in ovens for drying, and the dried nuts, along with the husk or shell, are stored. It’s worth noting that this method is known to increase the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the extracted shea butter, which are carcinogenic.

Another approach involves sun-drying the shea nuts directly without boiling in water after removal from the ripe fruit. The dried nuts are then cracked to remove the kernels (de-husking), which are sun-dried once again. These dried shea kernels are stored, with occasional re-drying in the sun. However, the challenge here is that sun-drying during rainy periods can lead to microbial deterioration of the nuts and kernels.

Production of Shea Butter:

These dried shea kernels undergo various methods to extract shea butter, including water extraction (boiling with water), mechanical extraction (also known as expeller pressing), or solvent extraction.

Traditionally, boiling the kernels in water and skimming off the released oil has been the method for shea butter extraction. Commercial production involves pressing the kernels in expellers or using solvent extraction. The extracted shea butter then undergoes further processing through refining and deodorizing to create high-quality shea butter, suitable for use in products like chocolates and cosmetics. Recently, there has been a growing interest in eco-friendly and organic production, leading to the use of traditional extraction methods for obtaining organic shea butter.

Traditional extraction process in African countries commonly employ the water extraction process to produce shea butter. Dried kernels are pounded or wet-milled to create a paste, homogenized through kneading and hand-beating. This paste is then boiled in water to separate the fat or shea butter from the kernel cake. The resulting butter is scooped up, filtered through cloth, and stored for cooling to obtain solid, unrefined shea butter.

Advanced Extraction Technology of Shea Butter:

Mechanical extraction technology, known as the Cold Press Extraction method, eliminates the heating stages involved in traditional processing. This method involves a mechanical oil press which applying pressure to crush shea kernels. This process, carried out in a oil mill with a Cleaning, Cooking / Conditioning, Mechanical Oil Extraction, Filtration, Vacuum Drying can extract up to 85% of the fat in a simplified process, reducing the various heating stages of the kernel. (Read about complete Shea Butter Extraction Plant Process )

Another approach involves chemical extraction processes, where solvents like hexane are used to dissolve the oily and fatty constituents of the pulverized kernel. (Read about Shea Butter Solvent Extraction Plant Process)

Uses of Shea Butter

Shea butter has a long history of use in African communities for culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes. It plays a significant role in the traditional practices of many African societies.

Cosmetic and Skincare

Shea butter is a common ingredient in skincare products like lotions, creams, and soaps due to its moisturizing and emollient properties.

It is known for its ability to nourish the skin and provide relief from dryness and irritation.

Medicinal

In some traditional African medicine, shea butter is used to treat various skin conditions, including eczema and dermatitis. Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and healing characteristics, shea butter is a trusted remedy for addressing skin ailments and supporting overall skin well-being.

Culinary

In certain regions, shea butter is used in cooking and as a food ingredient. From enhancing the taste of traditional recipes to being a central component in special dishes, shea butter’s culinary uses highlight its ability to transcend skincare and enter the realm of gastronomy.

The production and use of shea butter have expanded globally, with the cosmetic and skincare industries incorporating it into various products for its natural and beneficial properties. The sustainable and fair trade production of shea butter has gained attention as a means of supporting the livelihoods of the communities involved in its production.

Benefits of Shea Butter

Shea butter derives its advantages from its chemical composition, encompassing:

Harmonious Fatty Acids

Shea butter boasts a balance of linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids. This harmonious blend mimics the natural oils produced by the skin, promoting equilibrium and regulating sebum production. The result is skin that feels harmonized and well-nourished.

Antioxidant Trio

Vitamins A, E, and F in shea butter act as a formidable trio of antioxidants. These vitamins work synergistically to foster circulation and support the growth of healthy skin cells. The result is a rejuvenated complexion with enhanced resilience against environmental stressors.

Triglycerides for Skin Nourishment

The fatty component of the shea nut, known as triglycerides, forms a crucial part of shea butter’s composition. These triglycerides provide deep nourishment and conditioning for the skin, ensuring it remains supple and hydrated. Shea butter becomes a source of intensive care for dry or damaged skin.

Cetyl Esters: Guardian of Moisture

Shea butter features cetyl esters, the waxy portion that acts as a protective guardian for the skin. This layer not only conditions the skin but also seals in moisture, creating a natural barrier against dehydration. The result is skin that feels not only nourished but also luxuriously hydrated.

GOYUM offers complete equipment set specially designed for shea butter extraction, including kernel processing, mechanical extraction, solvent extraction and cooking oil refinery to produce refined shea butter. We have supplied machinery & equipment’s to 66+ countries and several are in the process of installation and commissioning.