8313. Safflower Oil

Description and references

The oil from the seed of Carthamus tinctorius L., Compositae. Milling and extraction procedures: Winter, J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 27, 82 (1950). Purification and stabilization: Freedman, Shapiro, US 2978381 (1961). Monograph: R. E. Woodward, G. M. Severson, Industrial Survey of Safflower, Chemurgy Dept. Report no. S-3 (Agricult. Expt. Sta., Lincoln, Nebraska, 1951). Fatty acids present as glycerides: palmitic 6.4%, stearic 3.1%, arachidic 0.2%, oleic 13.4%, linoleic 76.6-79.0%, linolenic 0.04-0.13%.

Properties

Edible drying oil, intermediate between soybean and linseed oil. d2525 0.9211-0.9215. Titer: 15-18°. nD25 1.472-1.475. nD40 1.4690-1.4692. Acid value 1.0-9.7. Saponif value 188-194. Iodine value 140-150. Thiocyanogen value 82.5-86.0. Reichert-Meissl value below 0.5. Hydroxyl value 2.9-6.0. Unsaponifiable below 1.5%. Thickens and becomes rancid on prolonged exposure to air. Sol in the usual oil and fat solvents.

Use

As linseed oil in paints. For salad oil blends, in hydrogenated state as shortening.

Therapeutic Category

Dietary supplement in hypercholesteremia (and possible prophylaxis and treatment of atherosclerosis).