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Agro IndustriesShea Butter Manufacturer, Nigeria
Glossary

Unsaponifiable Matter

Also written as: unsaponifiables, unsaps, non-saponifiable fraction

Summary

Unsaponifiable matter is the fraction of a fat that does not form soap when boiled with alkali, mainly triterpene alcohols, sterols, tocopherols and hydrocarbons. Shea butter is unusually rich in it, which is why the fraction is prized in cosmetics.

The fraction is attributed to the skin-conditioning and anti-inflammatory reputation of shea, through triterpene esters such as lupeol and amyrin derivatives. Unrefined butter keeps more of it than refined; a low value in an unrefined sample suggests over-processing or blending. The usual method is AOCS Ca 6a-40.

Saponification Value

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

Refractive Index

Refractive index (RI) is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a sub…

Cold-Pressed

Cold-pressed shea butter is extracted from dried kernels by mechanical pressing alone

Grade A Shea Butter

Grade A shea butter is the top quality class for unrefined shea butter: low free fatty aci…

Full explainer: Unsaponifiable Matter

The unsaponifiable fraction that distinguishes shea from cheaper hard fats.

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

Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.