Meadowfoam seed oil is a
seed oil, extracted from the seeds of ''
Limnanthes'' species (the meadowfoams). The seeds contain 20–30% oil. Meadowfoam seed oil is extraordinarily stable, primarily because it contains over 98% long chain
fatty acids
In chemistry, in particular in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, ...
.
Meadowfoam oil is most similar to
rapeseed oil, with which it competes directly for the high-volume industrial oilseed applications. Meadowfoam oil is widely used in cosmetic and hair-care applications due to its stability, emolliency and smooth, soft skin feel.
The oil in its unpurified form is not suitable for human consumption, primarily because of the high
erucic acid content.
References
Vegetable oils
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