Note on utilisation of peanut seed testa

Peanut testae (skins, seed coats) are an extremely low value by-product of peanut-blanching operations. Their commercial value is $12-20 per ton and their limited use is only as a minor component of cattle feed. Based on world in-shell peanut production of 29.1 million tons in 1999/2000 and an average skin content of 2.6%, world production of peanut skins can be estimated at over 750 000 tons annually. Research performed to find new uses for peanut skins demonstrated that up to 35% of the oil in the skins can be recovered. In some cases the oil can be a new potential source of behenic and lignoceric acids, which are used in body-building formulations and as ingredients in shampoos. After removal of the oil the skins were useful for making brandy, liqueur and tea. Peanut skin oil extraction followed by tannin extraction also produces a protein-enriched product that could find application in mixed feeds for cattle consumption at higher concentrations relative to existing practice. A simple technique was also offered to use the skins in finishing decorative panels