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'''Babassu oil''' or '''cusi oil''' is a clear light yellow vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the [[babassu palm]], which grows in the [[Amazon Basin|Amazon]] region of [[South America]]. It is a non-drying oil used in food, cleaners and skin products. This oil has properties similar to [[coconut oil]] and is used in much the same context. It is increasingly being used as a substitute for coconut oil. Babassu oil is about 70% lipids, in the following proportions:<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.saratogascents.com/soap_making_oil_properties.html
| title=Soap Making Oil Properties
| accessdate=2006-10-09
| publisher=Saratoga Scents
}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Fatty acid !! Percentage
|-
| [[Lauric acid|Lauric]] || align="right" | 50.0%
|-
| [[Myristic acid|Myristic]] || align="right" | 20.0%
|-
| [[Palmitic acid|Palmitic]] || align="right" | 11.0%
|-
| [[Oleic acid|Oleic]] || align="right" | 10.0%
|-
| [[Stearic acid|Stearic]] || align="right" | 3.5%
|}

[[Lauric acid|lauric]] and [[myristic acid]]s have [[melting point]]s relatively close to human [[body temperature]], so babassu oil can be applied to the skin as a solid that melts on contact. This [[heat transfer]] can produce a cooling sensation. It is an effective [[emollient]].

==References==

<references/>

==See also==

* [[Vegetable fats and oils]]

[[Category:Vegetable oils]]
[[Category:Cooking oils]]

Babassu oil - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 04:55, 1 August 2007