Distribution of fatty acids in corn oil

Abstract

Summary The oil content of 392 samples of corn ranged from 1.13% to 13.80%. As the percentage oil in the corn increased, the degree of unsaturation decreased. Iodine values ranged from 88.4 to 147.4, a range in degree of unsaturation greater than any previously reported for corn oils. The percentage of linoleic acid in the oils ranged from 15.7% to 67.6% and varied inversely with oil content (r=−.691). Oleic acid ranged from 16.5% to 75.9% and saturated acids from zero to 21.3%. The iodine value of the oil showed a high degree of correlation with the percentage of linoleic acid (r=−.951) and can be used as a basis for the accurate prediction of linoleic acid content.