Oil palm fruits within a single fresh fruit bunch exhibit non-uniform ripening, which can significantly influence postharvest oil characteristics. This study investigated intra-bunch variability in oil palm fruit quality by categorizing fruits based on axial position, individual mass, and external colour. Engineering properties, physicochemical attributes, oxidative stability parameters, fatty acid composition, and nutritional quality indices were evaluated using standard analytical methods, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. Significant variation was observed among fruit fractions within the same bunch. Oil yield increased markedly from smaller, inner fruits (44–47%) to larger, outer fruits (>70%), associated with reduced moisture content and increased carotenoid accumulation. Fruits with lower mass and inner positioning exhibited higher free fatty acid levels, greater formation of conjugated compounds, and lower oxidative stability. Fatty acid analysis indicated a shift from higher saturated fatty acids in smaller fruits to increased monounsaturated fatty acids in larger fruits, resulting in improved nutritional quality indices. FTIR spectroscopy effectively detected variations in key quality parameters, showing strong agreement with conventional methods. Among the factors examined, fruit mass and external colour showed comparatively higher association with postharvest oil characteristics than axial fruit position, although their applicability as independent maturity indicators requires further validation under broader conditions. These findings highlight the importance of considering intra-bunch variability in sampling and processing to enhance crude palm oil quality and overall processing efficiency.
Shivashankar et al. (2026) studied this question.