Cottonseed oil
Encyclopedia
Cottonseed oil is a cooking oil
extracted from the seeds
of cotton plant of various species, mainly Gossypium hirsutum
and Gossypium herbaceum
. Cotton grown for oil extraction is one of the big four genetically modified crops grown around the world, next to soy, corn, and rapeseed (canola), mostly Monsanto
products.
The cottonseed has a similar structure to other oilseeds such as sunflower seed
, having an oil
bearing kernel
surrounded by a hard outer hull; in processing, the oil is extracted from the kernel. Cottonseed oil is used for salad oil, mayonnaise
, salad dressing, and similar products because of its flavor
stability. The cottonseed oil undergoes intensive treatment after extraction to reduce the level of gossypol
found in untreated cottonseed oil, the consumption of which may produce undesirable side-effects.
Cottonseed oil is described by scientists as being "naturally hydrogenated" because the saturated fatty acids it contains are the natural myristic, palmitic, and (predominantly) stearic acid
s. These fatty acids make it a stable frying oil without the need for additional processing or the formation of trans fatty acids. Cotton seed oil is not required to be as fully hydrogenated for many purposes as some of the more polyunsaturated oils. On partial hydrogenation, the amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids actually increase. When hydrogenated to a typical iodine value of about 80, for example, its fatty acid profile shifts to 50% monounsaturated, 21% polyunsaturated, and 29% saturated, which are all well within current diet/health guidelines.
Gossypol
is a toxic yellow polyphenolic compound produced by cotton and other members of the order Malvaceae
, such as okra
. This coloured compound is found in tiny glands in the seeds, leaf, stem, tap root bark, and root of the cotton plant. The adaptive function of the compound is believed to be one of facilitating insect
resistance. Further, gossypol acts as a male and female contraceptive. It may be used to treat gynaecological problems and viral infections.
In addition, global cotton seed production can potentially provide the protein requirements for half a billion people per year. Work is under way to find a viable solution to the gossypol problem.
The three key steps of refining
, bleaching and deodorization that are involved in producing finished oil act to reduce the gossypol
level. Ferric chloride is often used to decolorize cotton seed oil.
s, who deem it too high in saturated fat
and too low in monounsaturated fat
. Detractors say that cottonseed oil may contain natural toxins and unacceptably high levels of pesticide
residues, since "cotton is not classified as a food crop, and farmers use many agrichemicals when growing it." The natural toxin, gossypol, is eliminated in the refining process of commercially edible cottonseed oil, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has documented the ‘lack of appreciable residues in cottonseed and cottonseed oil.’ Cottonseed oil has traditionally been used in foods such as potato chips and is a primary ingredient in Crisco
, the shortening product. But since it is significantly less expensive than olive oil
or canola oil, cottonseed has started to creep into a much wider range of processed foods, including cereals, bread
s and snack foods. Products that say "may contain one or more of these oils" and list cottonseed, virtually always contain it. Cottonseed oil resists rancidity and therefore offers a longer shelf life for food products in which it is an ingredient.
. Cottonseed oil has a relatively high smoke point
as a frying medium. Like other long-chain fatty acid oils, cottonseed oil has a smoke point of about 450 °F (232.2 °C). Cottonseed oil is high in tocopherol
s which also contribute its stability giving products that contain it a long shelf life
, hence manufacturers' proclivity to use it in packaged goods.
Cooking oil
Cooking oil is purified fat of plant origin, which is usually liquid at room temperature ....
extracted from the seeds
SEEDS
SEEDS is a voluntary organisation registered under the Societies Act of India....
of cotton plant of various species, mainly Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypium hirsutum, known as Upland Cotton or Mexican Cotton, is the most widely planted species of cotton in the United States, constituting some 95% of all cotton production and is native to Central America and possibly Mexico Worldwide, the figure is about 90% of all production for this...
and Gossypium herbaceum
Gossypium herbaceum
Gossypium herbaceum, also called Levant cotton, is a species of cotton native to the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia where it still grows in the wild as a perennial shrub...
. Cotton grown for oil extraction is one of the big four genetically modified crops grown around the world, next to soy, corn, and rapeseed (canola), mostly Monsanto
Monsanto
The Monsanto Company is a US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is the world's leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed in the "Roundup" brand of herbicides, and in other brands...
products.
The cottonseed has a similar structure to other oilseeds such as sunflower seed
Sunflower seed
The sunflower seed is the fruit of the sunflower . The term "sunflower seed" is actually a misnomer when applied to the seed in its pericarp . Botanically speaking, it is more properly referred to as an achene. When dehulled, the edible remainder is called the sunflower kernel.There are three types...
, having an oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
bearing kernel
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
surrounded by a hard outer hull; in processing, the oil is extracted from the kernel. Cottonseed oil is used for salad oil, mayonnaise
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise, , often abbreviated as mayo, is a sauce. It is a stable emulsion of oil, egg yolk and either vinegar or lemon juice, with many options for embellishment with other herbs and spices. Lecithin in the egg yolk is the emulsifier. Mayonnaise varies in color but is often white, cream, or pale...
, salad dressing, and similar products because of its flavor
Flavor
Flavor or flavour is the sensory impression of a food or other substance, and is determined mainly by the chemical senses of taste and smell. The "trigeminal senses", which detect chemical irritants in the mouth and throat as well as temperature and texture, are also very important to the overall...
stability. The cottonseed oil undergoes intensive treatment after extraction to reduce the level of gossypol
Gossypol
Gossypol is a natural phenol derived from the cotton plant . Gossypol is a phenolic aldehyde that permeates cells and acts as an inhibitor for several dehydrogenase enzymes. It is a yellow pigment....
found in untreated cottonseed oil, the consumption of which may produce undesirable side-effects.
Composition
Its fatty acid profile generally consists of 70% unsaturated fatty acids including 18% (13% - 44%) monounsaturated (oleic), and 52% (33.1%-60.1%) polyunsaturated (linoleic & linolenic).Cottonseed oil is described by scientists as being "naturally hydrogenated" because the saturated fatty acids it contains are the natural myristic, palmitic, and (predominantly) stearic acid
Stearic acid
Stearic acid is the saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH316CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "stéatos", which means tallow. The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates...
s. These fatty acids make it a stable frying oil without the need for additional processing or the formation of trans fatty acids. Cotton seed oil is not required to be as fully hydrogenated for many purposes as some of the more polyunsaturated oils. On partial hydrogenation, the amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids actually increase. When hydrogenated to a typical iodine value of about 80, for example, its fatty acid profile shifts to 50% monounsaturated, 21% polyunsaturated, and 29% saturated, which are all well within current diet/health guidelines.
Gossypol
Gossypol
Gossypol is a natural phenol derived from the cotton plant . Gossypol is a phenolic aldehyde that permeates cells and acts as an inhibitor for several dehydrogenase enzymes. It is a yellow pigment....
is a toxic yellow polyphenolic compound produced by cotton and other members of the order Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
, such as okra
Okra
Okra is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of South Asian, Ethiopian and West African origins...
. This coloured compound is found in tiny glands in the seeds, leaf, stem, tap root bark, and root of the cotton plant. The adaptive function of the compound is believed to be one of facilitating insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
resistance. Further, gossypol acts as a male and female contraceptive. It may be used to treat gynaecological problems and viral infections.
In addition, global cotton seed production can potentially provide the protein requirements for half a billion people per year. Work is under way to find a viable solution to the gossypol problem.
The three key steps of refining
Refining
Refining is the process of purification of a substance or a form. The term is usually used of a natural resource that is almost in a usable form, but which is more useful in its pure form. For instance, most types of natural petroleum will burn straight from the ground, but it will burn poorly...
, bleaching and deodorization that are involved in producing finished oil act to reduce the gossypol
Gossypol
Gossypol is a natural phenol derived from the cotton plant . Gossypol is a phenolic aldehyde that permeates cells and acts as an inhibitor for several dehydrogenase enzymes. It is a yellow pigment....
level. Ferric chloride is often used to decolorize cotton seed oil.
Nutrition
Cottonseed oil is under scrutiny by some nutritionistNutritionist
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
s, who deem it too high in saturated fat
Saturated fat
Saturated fat is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the individual carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain. That is, the chain of carbon atoms is fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms...
and too low in monounsaturated fat
Monounsaturated fat
In biochemistry and nutrition, monounsaturated fats or MUFA are fatty acids that have one double bond in the fatty acid chain and all of the remainder of the carbon atoms in the chain are single-bonded...
. Detractors say that cottonseed oil may contain natural toxins and unacceptably high levels of pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
residues, since "cotton is not classified as a food crop, and farmers use many agrichemicals when growing it." The natural toxin, gossypol, is eliminated in the refining process of commercially edible cottonseed oil, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has documented the ‘lack of appreciable residues in cottonseed and cottonseed oil.’ Cottonseed oil has traditionally been used in foods such as potato chips and is a primary ingredient in Crisco
Crisco
Crisco is a brand of shortening produced by the J. M. Smucker Co. popular in the United States. Introduced in June 1911 by Procter & Gamble, it was the first shortening to be made entirely of vegetable oil...
, the shortening product. But since it is significantly less expensive than olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
or canola oil, cottonseed has started to creep into a much wider range of processed foods, including cereals, bread
Bread
Bread is a staple food prepared by cooking a dough of flour and water and often additional ingredients. Doughs are usually baked, but in some cuisines breads are steamed , fried , or baked on an unoiled frying pan . It may be leavened or unleavened...
s and snack foods. Products that say "may contain one or more of these oils" and list cottonseed, virtually always contain it. Cottonseed oil resists rancidity and therefore offers a longer shelf life for food products in which it is an ingredient.
Physical properties
Once processed, cottonseed oil has a mild taste and appears generally clear with a light golden color, the amount of color depending on the amount of refiningRefining
Refining is the process of purification of a substance or a form. The term is usually used of a natural resource that is almost in a usable form, but which is more useful in its pure form. For instance, most types of natural petroleum will burn straight from the ground, but it will burn poorly...
. Cottonseed oil has a relatively high smoke point
Smoke point
The smoke point generally refers to the temperature at which a cooking fat or oil begins to break down to glycerol and free fatty acids, and produce bluish smoke. The glycerol is then further broken down to acrolein which is a component of the smoke. It is the presence of the acrolein that causes...
as a frying medium. Like other long-chain fatty acid oils, cottonseed oil has a smoke point of about 450 °F (232.2 °C). Cottonseed oil is high in tocopherol
Tocopherol
Tocopherols are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols...
s which also contribute its stability giving products that contain it a long shelf life
Shelf life
Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
, hence manufacturers' proclivity to use it in packaged goods.
External links
- Cottonseed oil production, supply, and distribution statistics by country - Sourced from the United States Department of Agriculture