Wheat germ oil

Wheat germ oil in a clear glass vial

Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up only 2.5% by weight of the kernel [1] Wheat germ oil is particularly high in octacosanol - a 28-carbon long-chain saturated primary alcohol found in a number of different vegetable waxes.[2] Octacosanol has been studied as an exercise- and physical performance-enhancing agent. Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans.[3] Wheat germ oil is also very high in vitamin E (255 mg/100g), and has the highest content of vitamin E of any food that has not undergone prior preparation or vitamin fortification.[4] As a cooking oil, wheat germ oil is strongly flavored, expensive and easily perishable.[1] Wheat germ oil contains the following fatty acids:[5][6]

Component g/100g
Linoleic acid (omega-6) 55
Palmitic acid 16
Oleic acid 14
Linolenic acid (omega-3) 7

Other uses of wheat germ oil have also been explored, including increasing blood flow and reaction time.[7] Further uses include treatment of certain skin conditions such as scarring and inflammation.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kitchen Dictionary: Wheat germ".
  2. ↑ "Wheat Germ Oil (Octacosanol)".
  3. ↑ Hargrove; Greenspan, P; Hartle, DK; et al. (03/01/2004). "Nutritional Significance and Metabolism of Very Long Chain Fatty Alcohols and Acids from Dietary Waxes". Experimental Biology and Medicine. 229 (3): 215–26. PMID 14988513. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ "999 Foods Highest in Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) (based on levels per 200 Calories)".
  5. ↑ "Nutritional Summary for Oil, wheat germ".
  6. ↑ Ola. A. Megahad and Omayma S. El Kinawy (2002). "Studies on the extraction of wheat germ oil by commercial hexane". Grasas y Aceites. 53 (4): 414–418. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  7. ↑ "Wheat Germ Oil". Nutros. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  8. ↑ "Is Wheat Germ Oil Good for Scar Diminishing?". OilyOily. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
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