Abstract:
Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is the main by‐product from cashew nuts processing
and is obtained during roasting of the nuts by the oil‐bath method. It may also be
obtained through expression of residual shells or solvent extraction of the
pulverized shells.
Kenya has the potential to produce 200,000 Tonnes of cashew nuts and 45,000
Tonnes of CNSL if all the nuts were to be processed locally and with recovery of the
liquid. Currently, the country realizes only about 5‐10% of its nuts production
potential. Processing of the nuts has been left to small scale processors who in
many cases, burn residue shells as fuel or as waste. This practice pollutes the
environment profoundly through emission of thick dark smoke with particulate
matter. No CNSL is recovered in Kenya currently. The aim of this review paper is to
highlight a number of products which can be manufactured in Kenya based on
research initially done at Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute and
more recently at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Recovery
of CNSL and its exploitation in Kenya will not only enhance the economic returns to
the cashew industry but also contribute significantly to conservation of the
environment. It is recommended that further work be done to scale‐up production
of CNSL based products and demonstrate feasibility of the same. Production and
local processing of the cashew nuts accompanied by recovery of CNSL should be
enhanced.
