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Grape seed oil facts for kids

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Grape seed oil
GrapeSeedOil.png
Grape seed oil in clear glass vial
Fat composition
Saturated fats
Total saturated Palmitic: 7%
Stearic: 4%
Unsaturated fats
Total unsaturated 86%
Monounsaturated 16.1%
Palmitoleic acid <1%
Oleic acid 15.8%
Polyunsaturated 69.9%
Omega-3 fatty acids α-Linolenic: 0.1%
Omega-6 fatty acids Linoleic: 69.6%
Properties
Food energy per 100 g (3.5 oz) 3,700 kJ (880 kcal)
Smoke point 216 °C (421 °F)
Iodine value 124-143
Saponification value 126 (NaOH)
180-196 (KOH)
Unsaponifiable 0.3% - 1.6%
Peroxide value 2.92 mequiv/kg

Grape seed oil (also called grapeseed oil or grape oil) is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of grapes. A by-product of the winemaking industry, it is typically used for edible applications.

Uses

Cooking

Grape seed oil has a moderately high smoke point of approximately 216 °C (421 °F). Due to its clean, light taste, and high polyunsaturated fat content, it may be used as an ingredient in salad dressings and mayonnaise and as a base for oil infusions of garlic, rosemary, or other herbs or spices. It is widely used in baked goods, pancakes, and waffles. It is sprayed on raisins to help them retain their flavor.

Research

A study of 21 grape cultivars showed variation of oil composition, especially for linoleic acid and tocopherols.

Although grape seeds contain polyphenols, such as proanthocyanidins, grape seed oil contains negligible amounts of these compounds. Grape seed oil components are under study for their potential applications in human health, but the scientific quality of clinical research as of 2016 has been inadequate to suggest any effect on lowering disease risk.

Possible contamination

Grapeseed oil has occasionally been found to contain dangerous levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons because of direct contact with combustion gases during the drying process.

Production

Winemaking accounts for 90% of grape cultivation, with the seeds of the plant serving as a by-product that can be pressed for oil. Grapeseed oil production primarily occurs in wine-growing regions, especially around the Mediterranean Sea.

Composition

Illustration Vitis vinifera0
Grape seeds (numbers 7 and 8) and grapes

The following table lists a typical fatty acid composition of grape seed oil:

Acid Type Percentage
Linoleic acid ω−6 unsaturated 69.6%
Oleic acid ω−9 unsaturated 15.8%
Palmitic acid
(Hexadecanoic acid)
Saturated 7%
Stearic acid
(Octadecanoic acid)
Saturated 4%
Alpha-linolenic acid ω−3 unsaturated 0.1%
Palmitoleic acid
(9-Hexadecenoic acid)
ω−7 unsaturated less than 1%

Grape seed oil also contains 0.8 to 1.5% unsaponifiables rich in phenols (tocopherols) and steroids (campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol). Grapeseed oil contains small amounts of vitamin E, but safflower oil, cottonseed oil, or rice bran oil contain greater amounts. Grapeseed oil is high in polyunsaturates and low in saturated fat.

Comparison to other vegetable oils

Properties of vegetable oils

The nutritional values are expressed as percent (%) by mass of total fat.
Type Processing
treatment
Saturated
fatty acids
Monounsaturated
fatty acids
Polyunsaturated
fatty acids
Smoke point
Total Oleic
acid
(ω-9)
Total α-Linolenic
acid
(ω-3)
Linoleic
acid
(ω-6)
ω-6:3
ratio
Avocado 11.6 70.6 52–66 13.5 1 12.5 12.5:1 250 °C (482 °F)
Brazil nut 24.8 32.7 31.3 42.0 0.1 41.9 419:1 208 °C (406 °F)
Canola 7.4 63.3 61.8 28.1 9.1 18.6 2:1 238 °C (460 °F)
Coconut 82.5 6.3 6 1.7 175 °C (347 °F)
Corn 12.9 27.6 27.3 54.7 1 58 58:1 232 °C (450 °F)
Cottonseed 25.9 17.8 19 51.9 1 54 54:1 216 °C (420 °F)
Flaxseed/linseed 9.0 18.4 18 67.8 53 13 0.2:1 107 °C (225 °F)
Grape seed   10.5 14.3 14.3   74.7 74.7 very high 216 °C (421 °F)
Hemp seed 7.0 9.0 9.0 82.0 22.0 54.0 2.5:1 166 °C (330 °F)
Olive 13.8 73.0 71.3 10.5 0.7 9.8 14:1 193 °C (380 °F)
Palm 49.3 37.0 40 9.3 0.2 9.1 45.5:1 235 °C (455 °F)
Peanut 16.2 57.1 55.4 19.9 0.318 19.6 61.6:1 232 °C (450 °F)
Rice bran oil 25 38.4 38.4 36.6 2.2 34.4 15.6 232 °C (450 °F)
High-oleic safflower oil 7.5 75.2 75.2 12.8 0 12.8 very high 212 °C (414 °F)
Sesame 14.2 39.7 39.3 41.7 0.3 41.3 138:1
Soybean partially hydrogenated 14.9 43.0 42.5 37.6 2.6 34.9 13.4:1
Soybean 15.6 22.8 22.6 57.7 7 51 7.3:1 238 °C (460 °F)
Walnut oil unrefined 9.1 22.8 22.2 63.3 10.4 52.9 5:1 160 °C (320 °F)
Sunflower 8.99 63.4 62.9 20.7 0.16 20.5 128:1 227 °C (440 °F)
Cottonseed hydrogenated 93.6 1.5 0.6 0.2 0.3 1.5:1
Palm hydrogenated 88.2 5.7 0

See also

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