Sustainable Palm Oil Extraction and Trends in the Use of Green Technologies: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Directions

ABSTRACT Palm oil, which is extracted from the mesocarp of the fruit of the Elaeis guineensis Jacq. palm tree, is the most widely produced vegetable oil in the world. The extraction of this substance typically utilizes the conventional pressing method, a technique that is advantageous due to its low operating cost and simplified process. However, a significant drawback pertains to the substantial amount of oil retained within the fibers, amounting to approximately 1% of the total oil produced. Consequently, the fiber may contain approximately 5 to 6% of residual oil. A plethora of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of methodologies such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), subcritical water extraction (SBW), and aqueous enzyme extraction (WEE). In addition, techniques including ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), microwave‐assisted extraction (WAE), and deep eutectic solvent (DES) have been shown to be effective. This review critically examines the underlying principles, performance, and sustainability implications of these emerging extraction technologies. The review highlights the potential of these technologies to enhance oil recovery, reduce environmental impacts, and improve process efficiency when compared to conventional extraction methods. This study systematically analyzes current advances and existing limitations to identify key research gaps related to process scalability and tech‐economic feasibility. In addition, the review delineates prospective research trajectories that are oriented toward process optimization, hybrid extraction methodologies, life cycle assessment, and industrial‐scale implementation. These research trajectories are intended to contribute to the advancement of palm oil extraction methodologies that are more efficient and sustainable.