Cottonseed oil

Cottonseed oil (also cottonseed or cottonseed oil, lat. oleum gossypii, Eng. Cotton seed oil ) is a thick fat vegetable oil, which is extracted by pressing or extraction with carbon disulfide from cottonseed. The yield is 15-30%. The crude pressed oil is dark brown due to content of toxic gossypol and contaminated with mucus and protein bodies. By oxidation with the air, the staining further enhanced. The density of the crude oil is 0.917 to 0.928 g/cm3. Cottonseed oil solidifies at -2 to -3 ° C. After refining and bleaching with caustic potash it is then light yellow, tastes and smells slightly nutty erdartig. It solidifies 2-0 ° C, is insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in ether and is available between the drying and non - drying oils.

It is produced in large quantities as a by- product of the production of cotton. In 1994, there were about 13 % of world oilseed production from cottonseed.

Cottonseed oil is used for adulteration of olive oil, as fuel oil and for making soap. The oil cake called pomace oil extraction are used as cattle feed. It takes place - especially in the cotton producing countries of the third world - use in food, but also appeared in Europe as an exotic ingredient in food supplements, cosmetics and in medicine. Also for the preparation of margarine, as well as a fuel for diesel engines, it is used.

Because of the high use of pesticides in cotton production and the toxicity of the untreated oil to use for human consumption and as feed is controversial.