This publication describes NRI experience in the recovery of seven different 'seed kernels' of tropical origin: balanites nuts, cashew nuts, coconuts, cottonseeds, groundnuts, macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds. lt includes the decortication and related operations for specific nuts and oilseeds for human food, as well as the by-products which may have other uses. The structure of the seeds and their implication for decortication are discussed and general descriptions of the typical decortication techniques are included. The effect of crop and processing variables on the efficiency of the operation and the recovery of products is also covered. This publication does not cover decortication processes that are applied to husk, bark or fibre crops resulting in some form of fibre product (e.g. sisal and hemp) without any direct connection to the seeds of a plant
