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Pine nut oil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pine nut oil, also called pine seed oil or cedar nut oil, is a pressed vegetable oil, extracted from the edible seeds of several species of pine. Pine nut oil has a relatively low smoke point, and is therefore not generally used for cooking. Rather, it is added to foods for "finishing", to add flavor.[1] One analysis of the triglyceride composition of pine nut oil showed the following composition:[2]
| Fatty acid | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Linoleic acid | 49.0% ± 2.3 |
| Oleic acid | 23.8% ± 2.1 |
| Pinolenic acid | 17.1% ± 2.0 |
| Palmitic acid | 6.3% ± 2.2 |
| Stearic acid | 2.5% ± 0.1 |
In Russia,
- before the revolution of 1917 it was used for cooking during Lent when eating of animal fats was forbidden. Also prior to the 1917 revolution, ten percent of all hard currency in Russia was based on the trade of pine oil. Most of the trade was with France, which traditionally uses nut oil in cooking. Pine nut oil is also reportedly an excellent bread preservative when a small amount is added to the dough.[3]
Pine nut oil has also drawn recent attention for its medicinal properties. According to a study by Lipid Nutrition, the pinolenic acid contained in pine nut oil can help curb appetite by stimulating the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone that functions as an appetite suppressant.[4] The study showed that pine nut oil "boosts appetite suppressors up to 60% for four hours."[5] In Siberia, a handful of pine nuts, or a tablespoon of pine nut oil has traditionally been taken with — or instead of — a meal, when food is scarce, to give a feeling of "fullness".[6] Interest in the properties of pinolenic acid have led some researchers to explore methods of increasing the amount of this fatty acid in pine nut oil. Subsequent research showed that, in addition to suppressing appetite, pine nut oil also can reduce LDLs, yielding further health benefits.[7]
Pine nut oil also contains a high concentration of free radical scavengers, which help reduce oxidative damage that can lead to peptic ulcers or gastritis, according to clinical studies in Russia and China. As a result of such studies, pine nut oil is now considered a remedy for these conditions in both countries.[6]
- ^ Raw Foods Values and Information. Goods from the Woods. Retrieved on September 24, 2006.
- ^ V. I. Deineka and L. A. Deineka (March, 2003). "Triglyceride Composition of Pinus sibirica Oil". Chemistry of Natural Compounds 39 (2).
- ^ FAO (1995). "Chapter 8: Seeds, Fruits and Cones", Non-wood forest products from conifers.
- ^ Miranda Hitti (March 28, 2006). Pine Nut Oil May Cut Appetite. WebMD News. Retrieved on September 30, 2006.
- ^ Pinolenic Acid (Korean Pine Nut Oil). RemedyFind. Retrieved on September 30, 2006.
- ^ a b Extra virgin pine nut oil. Siberian Tiger Naturals. Retrieved on September 30, 2006. Siberian Tiger Naturals sells cold-pressed oils from Siberia.
- ^ Lee Jin-Wo, Lee Kwang-Won, Lee Seog-Won, Kim In-Hwan and Rhee Chul (2004). "Selective increase in pinolenic acid (all-cis-5,9,12-18:3) in Korean pine nut oil by crystallization and its effect on LDL-receptor activity". Lipids 39 (4): 383-387.
- The Ringing Cedars of Russia. Retrieved on October 17, 2006. Commercial site which sells pine nut oil. Contains a number of articles on the properties of pine nut oil.