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Agro IndustriesShea Butter Manufacturer, Nigeria
Glossary

Neutralisation

Also written as: alkali refining, caustic refining, deacidification, neutralization (US spelling)

Summary

Neutralisation is the refining step in which free fatty acids in crude fat react with an alkali, usually sodium hydroxide, forming soapstock that is then separated. Alongside steam (physical) refining, it is the only way to lower FFA once shea butter has been pressed.

The caustic dose is calculated from the measured free fatty acid of the crude butter plus a small excess, so intake FFA directly sets refining cost and yield loss, because soapstock carries neutral oil with it. Neutralisation lowers FFA but does not remove colour or odour — bleaching and deodorisation follow.

N-RBD

N-RBD stands for neutralised

Free Fatty Acid (FFA)

Free fatty acid (FFA) is the share of a fat's fatty acids that have broken away from their…

Deodorisation

Deodorisation is the final refining stage in which fat is held under high vacuum at high t…

Saponification Value

Saponification value is the milligrams of potassium hydroxide (KOH) needed to saponify one…

Full explainer: How Shea Butter Is Refined: The N-RBD Process

Neutralisation, bleaching and deodorisation — what each step changes.

Part of the shea butter glossary · Complete guide to shea butter

Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.