Extraction and refining of oil from amaranth seed

Abstract

Oil was extracted with hexane on a pilot plant scale from seeds of Amaranthus cruentus after the seeds were subjected to an efficient abrasive milling. Optimum conditions were then determined for terming and bleaching this oil. The yellow oil obtained is similar in appearance and composition to corn oil, but comparison with previously published analyses reveals a considerable variation in the content of the principal fatty acids, palmitic, oleic and linoleic, although the squalene content (5-8%) was in the expected range.

Characterization of phenotypic and nutritional properties ofvaluable Amaranthus cruentus L. mutants

“…Squalene, which is a cholesterol precursor, may constitute up to 8% of amaranth oil (Lyon and Becker, 1987;Ayorinde et al, 1989;Becker, 1989;Berganza et al, 2003).…”

Seed protein, fat and fatty acid profile of Amaranthus species

“…These are well known for their adaptability to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions (Pal and Khoshoo 1974). The nutritional composition/value of several varieties of amaranth seeds/oil has been reported (Fernando andBean 1984, 1985;Misra et a1 1985;Garcia et a1 1987;Lyon and Becker 1987;Pedersen et a1 1987a, b;Singhal and Kulkarni 1988;Ayorinde et a1 1989). In addition to the protein and amino acid profile, fat and fatty acid composition is one of the important parameters of nutritional quality.…”

Food Properties of Amaranth Seeds and Methods for Starch Isolation and Characterization

“…Edible oil can be extracted from coarsely milled amaranth flour (Lyon and Becker 1987;Becker 1989) tract the fat from the seeds, which are first coarsely ground in a stone mill and refluxed with hexane. Then the residue is removed by filtration, and the solvent eliminated under vacuum from the fat.…”