WHEAT GERM OIL
The process: oil extraction
Wheat germ oil usually occurs as a by-product in wheat flour production. Today, modern milling processes for obtaining flour and bran mechanically separate the germ buds, relatively fatty parts of the wheat grains.
For wheat germ oil production, a cold-pressing with a screw press is used, or also an extraction with solvents. Afterward the oil may possibly undergo refinement. Furthermore, the wheat germ oil can also be obtained using a solvent-free extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide, which advantageously removes the need for refinement.
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Characteristics and shelf life
Raw wheat germ oil has a golden yellow to brown color. Refined oil, on the other hand, is yellowish.
Its smell is reminiscent of cereals and dried herbs and contains a faint peppery note.
The taste of the oil is a typical, distinct wheat flavor. The smoke point is around 90°C. Wheat germ oil is made up of around 60% polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Around 88% of these are the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid. There is also about 18% oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid) and about 18% saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid). In addition, there are approx. 200-300mg of vitamin E per 100 grams of oil. Wheat germ oil therefore contains the highest total vitamin E content compared to other oils. This vitamin E is mainly made up of alpha-tocopherol.
Normal wheat germ oil has a shelf life of around 6 months if stored in a cool, dark place. However, if the oil is obtained by extraction, it can be kept for longer.
Use
Exciting facts about the use of wheat germ oil in pharmacy and medicine
Many natural vitamin E preparations are made from wheat germ oil and, due to its natural active ingredient content, this oil is also frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of ointments and powders. Due to the high amount of vitamin E it contains, wheat germ oil is often used for ingestion (against free radicals) and is also considered a dietary oil. The vitamin E contained in the oil is also important for the normal function of the gonads and the normal course of pregnancy. Other positive properties of wheat germ oil according to Günter A. Ulmers’ book “Healing Oils” are that it has an anti-inflammatory effect and protects the cells from rapid ageing and decay.
Wheat germ oil a must-have in your beauty routine
According to the “Lexikon der pflanzlichen Fette und Öle”, wheat germ oil can also be used in many different ways in cosmetics and has some very positive properties.
For example, it can be found in skin and hair care products. Due to the high proportion of omega-6 fatty acids contained in the oil, it is particularly suitable for dry and cracked skin. Wheat germ oil is considered a good skin care oil as it appears to prevent signs of ageing, moisturizes the skin and regulates the metabolism. The vitamin E it contains keeps the connective tissue healthy and makes the skin smooth and elastic. It can also be found in hair care products, where it is used for preventive hair care, helps to keep hair healthy and stimulates blood circulation in the scalp.
Wheat germ oil is also used in the cosmetics industry. Here it is used, for example, in the production of skin oils, powders, soaps, face packs and other nourishing cosmetics. However, the use of wheat germ oil or products containing this oil also offers benefits during pregnancy. It is known that percutaneously applied preparations containing vitamin E improve blood circulation in the peripheral vessels. It is therefore advisable to use these products on people with skin with poor circulation. Wheat germ oil has a high vitamin E content.
It is also interesting to note that the shelf life of self-mixed creams can be extended if wheat germ oil is added to them.
how you can use wheat germ oil in the kitchen!
Cold-pressed wheat germ oil can contribute to a healthy diet due to its high vitamin E content. Due to the high amount of tocopherol it contains, it can also be used as a dietary oil. This oil is mainly used to obtain natural vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids.
In addition to their own knowledge acquired through press trials, the following sources were used to create the article:
- Öle, natürlich kaltgepresst, Basiswissen & Rezepte, Marcus Hartmann, Hädecke, 2008
- Heilende Öle, Pflanzenöle als Nahrungs- und Heilmittel, Neue Erkenntnisse, Günter Albert Ulmer Verlag Tuningen
- Lexikon der pflanzlichen Fette und Öle, Krist, Buchbauer, Klausberger, SpringerWienNewYork, 2008
- www.wikipedia.de
- en.wikipedia.org
