Nomenclature
Arachis oil; groundnut oil; earthnut oil; katchung oil. Description and references
Prepd by pressing the shelled and skinned seeds
of Arachis hypogaea L., Leguminosae: N. J.
Morris, F. G. Dollear, Abstract Bibliography
of the Chemistry and Technology of Peanuts (Southern Regional
Res. Lab., New Orleans, 1949); E. W. Eckey, Vegetable Fats and Oils (Reinhold, New York, 1954). Constits. of cold pressed oil: glycerides of the following
fatty acids: palmitic 8.3%, stearic 3.1%, arachidic 2.4%, behenic
3.1%, lignoceric 1.1%, oleic 56.0%, linoleic 26.0%. Traces of capric
and lauric acids have been reported. Unsaponifiable matter 0.8% (includes
tocopherols 0.022 to 0.059%, sterols 0.19 to 0.25%, squalene 0.027%
and other hydrocarbons).
Properties
Greenish-yellow or almost colorless oil. Mild,
pleasant odor; bland taste. d1515 0.917-0.921. d2525 0.910-0.915.
Clouds at low room temp. Solidifies at ≈-5°. A.S.T.M. cloud point
+4.5°; A.S.T.M. pour point +1°. Titer 26 to 32°. Flash pt 540°F (283°C); ignition temp 833°F (443°C). nD25 1.466-1.470; nD40 1.4605-1.4645. Acid value 0.08-6; saponification value 188-195; iodine
value 84-102; thiocyanogen value 67-73; hydroxyl value 2.5-9.5; Reichert-Meissl
value 0.2-1.0; Polenske value 0.2-0.7. Very slowly thickens and becomes
rancid on prolonged exposure to air. Miscible with ether, petr ether,
chloroform, carbon disulfide. Sol in benzene, carbon tetrachloride,
oils; very slightly sol in alc.Use
Edible oil: for salad oil as is; in hydrogenated
state as shortening, in mayonnaise, in confections. For the manuf
of margarine, soaps, paints. In pharmacy as vehicle for i.m. medication,
in the laboratory as heat transfer medium in melting point apparatus.
Pharmaceutic aid (solvent).
Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)
Has been used in control of pasture bloat.