Lecture - 32 A general account of Fats and Oils – Mustard, Sesame, Groundnut, Coconut, Soybean, Sunflower

A general account of Fats and Oils – Mustard, Sesame, Groundnut, Coconut, Soybean, Sunflower:-

1. Mustard:-

Botanical Name:- Brassica campestris

Family:- Cruciferae or Brassicaceae

Introduction:-

> It is an herb and is grown as an oil seed crop mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Assam.

> The oil content is 32 to 40%.

> Erucic acid is the characteristic fatty acid of mustard oil.

> The oil is extracted by expression or solvent.

Economic Botany:-

> The oil is used for cooking and burning.

> It is also used in ayurvedic medicines as liniment or for massage in paralytic diseases and in gum diseases.

> It is used in tanning process.

> The oil cake is used as cattle feed and as a fertilizer.

2. Sesame:-

Botanical Name:- Sesamum indicum

Family:- Pedaliaceae

Introduction:-

> Sesame is an important and oldest grown oilseed crop in the world.

> It is also known as til or gingely apartment from various other local names in India.

> Sesame is reported to be originated in South Africa and was introduced to India by migrants prior to the Indus valley civilization.

> India is the largest producer of sesame.

> It is widely preferred for its qualities of high drought tolerance and the highest oil content in the seeds.

> There mainly two distinct types of sesame seeds are popular viz., white and black though a few other varieties varying from red to rose or from brown or grey are also available.

Economic Botany:-

> Seeds:- Sesame seeds are used in various food and snack preparations as well as in salad dressing.

> Oil:- Sesame seeds contain the highest oil compared to any other oilseed to an extent of 50% and above. The unique qualities of sesame oil are stability and resistance to rancidity, with long shelf life due to the presence of the high level of natural antioxidants.

> Meal:- Sesame seeds are rich in protein with about 25% of their weight. Sesame meal contains 35-50% protein and used as feed for poultry and livestock.

3. Groundnut:-

Botanical Name:- Arachis hypogaea

Family:- Papilionaceae

Introduction:-

> Groundnut, a native to Brazil, is an important source of oil.

> It is a low growing herb of tropical and sub-tropical regions.

> The crop is largely grown in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

> The oil is expressed from seeds both by hydraulic presses and expellers.

> Oil content of seeds varies from 40 to 50%.

> It is also rich in phosphorus and vitamins.

> Oil contains mainly oleic acid.

Economic Botany:-

> It is predominantly used for culinary purposes.

> It is used for the manufacture of vegetable ghee by hydrogenation.

> The oil is used as a laxative and emollient.

> It is also used in soap making, in leather dressings, furniture creams and in making shaving creams, cold creams, candles etc.

> The oil cakes are used as feed for animals and as a manure.

4. Coconut:-

Botanical Name:- Cocos nucifera

Family:- Arecaceae (Palm family)

Common Name:- Coconut

Introduction:-

> Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel (copra) of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).

> It is solid at room temperature in cooler climates and liquid in tropical climates due to its melting point (~24°C).

> The oil is known for its high saturated fat content (about 90%) and is resistant to rancidity, giving it a long shelf life.

> It is traditionally extracted by cold pressing or by wet milling in small-scale or industrial setups.

Economic Importance:-

i. Edible Purposes:-

> Widely used as a cooking oil in tropical countries, especially in India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, and Pacific Islands.

> Used in preparation of sweets, bakery items, snacks, etc.

ii. Cosmetic Industry:-

> Coconut oil is a key ingredient in soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, hair oils, and creams due to its emollient and antimicrobial properties.

> Used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy.

iii. Pharmaceutical Uses:-

> Contains lauric acid, which has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

> Used in nutraceutical formulations and as a base in ointments and balms.

iv. Industrial Applications:-

> Used in soap making, detergents, bio-lubricants, and biofuels.

> Derivatives like fatty acids, glycerol, and fatty alcohols are used in cosmetic and chemical industries.

v. Health and Wellness Industry:-

> Promoted as a functional food due to medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that aid in digestion and energy production.

> Used in ketogenic diets and weight-loss supplements.

vi. Export Potential:-

> Countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka are major exporters.

> High global demand in cosmetic and health sectors boosts foreign exchange earnings.

vii. By-Products Utility:-

> Oil cake (copra cake) used as cattle feed.

> Residual pulp can be used in organic manure or biogas production.

4. Soybean:-

Botanical Name:- Glycine max

Family:- Fabaceae

Introduction:-

> It is an important oil seed crop.

> Brazil is projected to be the largest producer of soybeans in the world followed by the United States & Argentina.

> Cultivated soybean seeds have an oil content of approximately 18–22%, whereas wild soybean seeds contain about 8–10% oil

> The leading producer of soybean in India is Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Economic Botany:-

> Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean.

> It is one of the most widely consumed cooking oils and the second most consumed vegetable oil.

> As a drying oil, processed soybean oil is also used as a base for printing inks (soy ink) and oil paints.

> An edible oil pressed from the seeds is used to make margarine and as a stabilizing agent in the processing of food and the manufacture of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

> The oil is employed in such industrial products as paint, varnish, printing ink, soaps, insecticides, and disinfectants.

5. Sunflower:-

Botanical Name:- Helianthus annuus

Family:- Compositae or Asteraceae

Introduction:-

> It is an important oil seed crop of India.

> Sunflower seeds contain 42 to 50% oil.

> In India it is cultivated mainly in Karnataka Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

> The oil contains mainly unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids).

Economic Botany:-

> Sunflower oil is a very good cooking medium.

> Sunflower oil contains protein and vitamin A.