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2007-09-23T12:38:02Z

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'''Cottonseed oil''' is a [[vegetable oil]] extracted from the seeds of the [[cotton plant]] after the [[cotton]] lint has been removed. It must be refined to remove [[gossypol]], a naturally occurring [[toxin]] that protects the cotton plant from insect damage. Unrefined cottonseed oil is therefore sometimes used as a pesticide. In its natural un[[hydrogenated]] state cottonseed oil, like all [[vegetable oils]], has no [[cholesterol]]. It also contains no trans [[fatty acids]]. However, it does contain over 50% [[Omega-6]] fatty acids and only trace amounts of [[Omega-3]] fatty acids, and the imbalance is considered unhealthy if not used in moderation or balanced elsewhere in the diet. Further, these [[polyunsaturated fat]]s can potentially go rancid during the extraction process.

Some consumers are wary of cottonseed oil because cotton crops are one of the most chemically-intensive crops grown in the U.S. Many chemicals approved for use on cotton are not approved for use on food-based crops. Cotton field leftovers, or gin trash, is frequently fed to cattle.

Cottonseed oil is rich in [[palmitic acid]] (22-26%), [[oleic acid]] (15-20%), [[linoleic acid]] (49-58%) and 10% mixture of [[arachidic acid]], [[behenic acid]] and [[lignoceric acid]]. It also contains about 1% [[sterculic acid]]s and [[malvalic acid]]s in the crude oil. The [[cyclopropene acid]]s are undesirable components, but they are largely removed during refining, particularly deodorization, and also during hydrogenation. They are not considered to present any health hazard in cottonseed oil.

Cottonseed oil is commonly used in manufacturing [[potato chips]] and other snack foods. Along with [[soybean oil]], it is very often partially or fully [[hydrogenated oil|hydrogenated]]. The growing consensus is that in hydrogenated ([[trans fat]]) form these oils are very unhealthy. Cottonseed oil was the first oil to be hydrogenated in mass production, originally intended for candle production, and soon also as a food (as [[Crisco]]). In part because regulations apply differently to non-food crops, it has also been suggested that cottonseed oil may be highly contaminated with pesticide residues, but insufficient testing has been done.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}

Cotton (oil) is also one of the [[Genetically modified food#Development and application|big four]] (soy, corn, rapeseed/Canola,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrensr.nsf/LinkView/AE641E63162D0A50CA256ECA000A8B123A8D6D972510B1ED4A2567C40015A7EE|title=Reports on GM Canola}} from the [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/ Australian Department of Primary Industries]</ref> and cotton) [[genetically modified crops]] grown around the world.

== References ==

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{{fatsandoils}}

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

Cottonseed oil - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 12:38, 23 September 2007