Wheat Germ Oil : Source, Chemical Constituents and Uses

Wheat spikes (Triticum aestivum L.)

Morphology and Source of Wheat Germ Oil:

Wheat germ oil is a fixed oil obtained from wheat germ, Triticum aestivum belonging to the family Gramineae. It is extracted by solvent extraction or hydraulic expression.

Properties of Wheat Germ Oil:

Wheat germ oil is bland yellow in colour with a nut like odour and nut taste. It is miscible with solvents like ether, benzene and chloroform.

Chemical constituents of Wheat Germ Oil:

Wheat germ oil contains saturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid and unsaponifiable matter. Unsaponifiable matter mainly constitutes vitamin E.

Uses of Wheat Germ Oil:

• Wheat germ oil is used as a nutritional supplement.
• Wheat germ oil is chiefly a source of natural vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids (vitamin F).