Peanut oil

One of the first native North American sources of vegetable oil, the peanut is comprised of about 50 percent oil. This oil is extracted by pressing steam cooked peanuts.

In primary resetting, the peanuts are often shelled, roasted and mashed, followed by boiling of the mash in water and subsequent skimming of the oil as it arises to the surface.

Peanut oil may be refined by addition of sodium hydroxide to remove the free fatty acids, the alkaline precipitate producing ‘foots’ which is removed by centrifugation.

Peanut oil is high in monosaturated fat and has the advantages of having a relatively high smoke point (410 °F).

The main fatty acids in peanut oil are oleic acid (45-53%), linoleic acid (27-32%) and palmitic acid (11-14%). This oil specifically has long-chain saturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (1-2%), behenic acid (1.5-4.5%) and lignoceric acid (0,5%-2.5%).

Tocopherols concentration in peanut oil ranges from 130 to 13000 ppm with the composition of alpha-tocopherol (47-65%) and gamma-tocopherol (30-50%).

Peanut oil keeps well when stored in a cook dark place. However, its shelf life is longer when it is refrigerated.
Peanut oil

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Peanut plant

The peanut is the most popular nut in the United States. The peanut is a legume and closely related to beans and peas but differs widely from then because of its habit of developing the pods underground. The peanuts plant itself (Arachis bypogaea) grows a flower that sends a shoot down into the ground, where it enlarges into tissue that becomes the peanut.

Peanuts are grown in tropical and subtropical climates. They need much sunshine, warm temperature, moderate rainfall, and a frost-free growing period of 4 to 5 months. They thrive best in light, well drained, sandy soil.

There are two types of peanut plants: runner, which spread out like vines, and bunch peanut plants, which grow upright like small bushes.

Peanuts may be roasted in their shells before they’re eaten. Or they may be shelled and prepared as salted peanuts. Roasted peanuts are used in candy and baked goods, for peanut butter and in many other foods. Peanuts are often grown just for their oil.
Peanut plant

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