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'''Pine nut oil''', also called ''pine seed oil'' or ''cedar nut oil'', is a pressed [[vegetable oil]], extracted from the [[Pine nut|edible seeds]] of several species of [[pine]].

== Culinary uses ==
Pine nut oil has a relatively low [[smoke point]], and is therefore not generally used during cooking. Rather, it is added to foods for "finishing", to add flavor.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.pinenut.com/raw-foods-information.htm
| title=Raw Foods Values and Information
| publisher=[http://www.pinenut.com/ Goods from the Woods]
| accessdate=2006-09-24
}}</ref>

In [[Russia]] before the revolution of [[1917]], it was used for cooking during [[Lent]] when the eating of [[animal fat]]s was forbidden. At that time, ten percent of all hard currency in [[Russia]] was based on the trade of pine oil. Most of the trade was with [[France]], which traditionally uses nut oil in cooking.

Pine nut oil is also reportedly an excellent bread preservative when a small amount is added to the [[dough]].<ref>{{cite book
| url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/X0453E/X0453e12.htm
| title=Non-wood forest products from conifers
| chapter=Chapter 8: Seeds, Fruits and Cones
| author=FAO
| year=1995
}}</ref>

== Medicinal uses ==
Pine nut oil has drawn recent attention for its [[medicinal properties]].

According to a study by Lipid Nutrition, the [[pinolenic acid]] contained in pine nut oil can help curb appetite by stimulating the release of [[cholecystokinin]], a [[hormone]] that functions as an [[appetite suppressant]].<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.webmd.com/content/article/120/113791.htm
| title=Pine Nut Oil May Cut Appetite
| author=Miranda Hitti
| publisher=WebMD News
| date=March 28, 2006
| accessdate=2006-09-30
}}</ref> The study showed that pine nut oil "boosts appetite suppressors up to 60% for four hours."<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.remedyfind.com/treatments/50/2943/
| title=Pinolenic Acid (Korean Pine Nut Oil)
| publisher=RemedyFind
| accessdate=2006-09-30
}}</ref> This property had already been understood in Siberia, where a handful of pine nuts or a tablespoon of pine nut oil has traditionally been taken with (or instead of) a meal when food is scarce to give a feeling of satiation.<ref name="siberia">{{cite web
| url=http://www.siberiantigernaturals.com/extravirginpinenutoil.htm
| title=Extra virgin pine nut oil
| publisher=Siberian Tiger Naturals
| accessdate=2006-09-30
}} Siberian Tiger Naturals sells cold-pressed oils from Siberia.
</ref>

Interest in the properties of [[pinolenic acid]] have led some researchers to explore methods of increasing the amount of this [[fatty acid]] in pine nut oil. Subsequent research showed that, in addition to suppressing appetite, pine nut oil also can reduce [[Low density lipoprotein|LDL]]s, yielding further health benefits.<ref>{{cite journal
| url=http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16003808
| title=Selective increase in pinolenic acid (all-cis-5,9,12-18:3) in Korean pine nut oil by crystallization and its effect on LDL-receptor activity
| author=Lee Jin-Wo, Lee Kwang-Won, Lee Seog-Won, Kim In-Hwan and Rhee Chul
| date=2004
| journal=Lipids
| volume=39
| issue=4
| pages=383-387
}}</ref>

Pine nut oil also contains a high concentration of [[free radical]] scavengers, which help reduce oxidative damage that can lead to [[peptic ulcer]]s or [[gastritis]], according to clinical studies in [[Russia]] and [[China]]. As a result of such studies, pine nut oil is now considered a remedy for these conditions in both countries.<ref name="siberia"/>.

== Triglyceride composition ==
One analysis of the [[triglyceride]] composition of pine nut oil showed the following composition:<ref>{{cite journal
| url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/pv27w44513w45767/
| title=Triglyceride Composition of Pinus sibirica Oil
| author=V. I. Deineka and L. A. Deineka
| journal=Chemistry of Natural Compounds
| date=March, 2003
| volume=39
| issue=2
}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
! Fatty acid !! Percentage
|-
| [[Linoleic acid]] || align="right" | 49.0% ± 2.3
|-
| [[Oleic acid]] || align="right" | 23.8% ± 2.1
|-
| [[Pinolenic acid]] || align="right" | 17.1% ± 2.0
|-
| [[Palmitic acid]] || align="right" | 6.3% ± 2.2
|-
| [[Stearic acid]] || align="right" | 2.5% ± 0.1
|}

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==

* {{cite web
| url=http://www.ringingcedarsofrussia.org/infoE.php#articles
| title=The Ringing Cedars of Russia
| accessdate=2006-10-17
}} This commercial site, selling pine nut oil, contains a number of articles on the oil's properties.

[[Category:Vegetable oils]]

Pine nut oil - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 05:07, 1 August 2007