Meadowfoam Oil

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Meadowfoam Oil

Published: 28 October 2016 | Written by Super User | Print | Email | Hits: 3601

MeadowFoam
Latin Name
Limnanthes alba
Family: Limnanthaceae
Etymology
limnanthes comes from two Greek words, limme meaning marsh and anthos meaning a flower; alba is Latin for white
The Plant and its environment
Meadowfoam is a low growing herbaceous winter annual, native to the pacific coast pf N. America
The Oil
The boil is unusual in that the majority of it consists of fatty acids which are chains of 20 or more carbon atoms (more than rapeseed oil). It is a very stable oil due to the presence (0.07%) of a-,b-and y-tocopherols.
Method of Extraction
The oil is extracted from the seeds, which are about 2-3 mm in length and contain 25-30% oil by weight.

Principal Constituents

Type	Based On	Content -%
Saturated fatty acids		<1.0
C16:0	palmitic acid	<0.5
C18.0	stearic acid	trace
C20.0	arachidic acid	trace
C22.o	behenic acid	trace
Typical saturated fatty acid content		1
Monounsaturated fatty acids
C16:1	palmitoleic acid	<0.5
C18:1	oleic acid	0-4

C20:1	ecosenoic acid	60-65
C22:1	erucis acid	8-11
Typ[ical monounsaturated fatty acid content		77
polyunsaturated fatty acids
C18:2	linoleic acid	0-4
C18:3	alpha linolenic acid	trace
Typical polyunsaturated fatty acid content		22
other constituents	delta linolenic acid	2-4
C22:1
C22:2		15-23

Physical properties

Acid Value (mg KOH/g oil)	0.2 max.
Peroxide value (meq/K oil)	2.o max.
Refractive index at 40 C	1.4645-1.4655
Colour (Lovibond 5,25" cell)	3.0 red. 50 yellow
Iodine value (wiks)	90-102
Specific gravity at 25C	0.910-0.920
Energy value Kcal/100ml	900 (3700 kJ)
Therapeutic Properties
Meadowfoam is a rich emollient oil.
Reference: carrier Oils: Len Price

Carrier Oils For Aromatherapy