Peanut oil

Peanut oil is obtained from the seeds (Ground nuts) of Arachis hypogaea Linn (Family Leguminosae). The plant is an annual herb with imparipinnate compound leaves. It is native to Brazil and cultivated in Southern United States, Gambia, Nigeria and other localities with similar climates.
Description:
It occurs as a pale yellow oil with a slight nutty odour and bland nutty taste.
Constituents:
Oil contains mainly of oleic acid (56%) and linoleic acid (26%) with small quantity of palmitic (8%), stearic (3%), arachidic (2%), behenic (1%) and lignoceric acid (1%).
Physical and chemical characteristics:
Specific Gravity 0.916-0.920, Refractive Index at 40, 1.4625-1.4645, Riechert Meissl No. 0.2-1, Saponification Value: 188-196, Iodine Value: 65-95, Acid Value: not more than 4, Solubility: almost insoluble in alcohol, miscible with carbon disulphide, chloroform, ether and light petroleum. Identification tests: boil 1g sample or oil under reflux for 5 minutes with 5ml acetic acid and 50ml alcohol. Warm until the solution in clear cool slowly and note the temperature at which turbidity appears. This should not be lower than 37 C for Good Arachis oil.
Action and uses:
Peanut oil closely resembles to olive oil both as regards physical and chemical properties. It is used as vehicles in emulsions, liniments, and plasters soap, ink making and hydrogenated vegetable oil.