Arachis oil
Introduction Peanut oil or groundnut oil is pale yellow-colored, mild-flavored vegetable oil that is extracted from seeds of Arachis hypogaea. Arachis oil is used universally for food, medicines, and industry because of its pleasant flavor, thermal stability, and nutrient value. Arachis oil Chemical Composition Arachis oil is mostly composed of triglycerides, and it contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids. The approximate fatty acid composition is given below: Oleic acid (monounsaturated): 40–60% Linoleic acid (polyunsaturated): 20–30% Palmitic acid (saturated): 8–12% Stearic acid (saturated): 2–5% The oil also contains traces of vitamin E (tocopherols), phytosterols, and natural antioxidants, which increase its stability and health value. Extraction and Refining Arachis oil can be extracted by means of two broad methods: Cold pressing: Peanuts are mechanically pressed to extract a light-colored oil with an intense nutty aroma. Cold pressing preserve...