Crude maize oil - Introduction

Maize oil is a germ oil and, as such, contains significantly more essential elements than simple seed oil.
 

Obtained from the fractionation of conventional maize that Roquette sources from Europe, crude maize oil is extracted from the germ by pressing. Roquette produces a crude maize oil requiring further refining. 

While animal fat is comprised mainly of saturated fatty acids (40-60%), maize oil has a high unsaturated fatty acid profile.

It is a concentrated and readily digestible source of energy, possessing a functionality and nutritional contribution particularly appreciated in several fields:

• Human nutrition (cooking oil / seasoning / child nutrition, etc.)
   
• Animal nutrition (pet food)
   
• Pharmaceutical industry & Bioindustry
   
• Other industries...

Crude maize oil - Product description

Maize oil differs from other vegetable oils in its high essential fatty acids (60%), Vitamin E and phytosterol content.

* Essential fatty acids:

• linoleic acid (C 18 :2 / ω-6)
• alpha linolenic acid (C 18 :3 / ω-3)
  used as precursors for several fatty acids sometimes also called essential fatty acids.

Essential fatty acids (EFA) and linoleic acid in particular, play a critical role in our health, contributing amongst other things, to:

• Preventing high blood pressure,
• Delaying the effects of diabetes,
• Reducing obesity,
• Correct immune system function,

The high ratio of mono to polyunsaturated fatty acids (Oleic acid / Linoleic acid) in maize oil has anti-atherosclerosis properties and helps reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

* Vitamin E

Vegetable oils represent the main source of vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that traps the free radicals that cause premature aging of vital organs.

Vitamin E (present in maize oil at a level of 45 mg/100 g) plays an essential role in cell membrane protection, it is used in burn treatment and in cosmetology. Moreover, natural vitamin E is twice as bio-available than its synthetic counterpart.
 

* Phytostérols

Phytosterols and their derivatives reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, lowering circulating cholesterol and LDL levels by approximately 10%, though without affecting HDLs.

Phytosterols also help to reduce the risk of colon cancer; they thus possess significant benefits for health. As it happens, maize oil is the vegetable oil with the highest phytosterol content, four times higher than that of olive oil.



 

Applications

Roquette produces a crude maize oil that can be used either as is, or refined. In this latter case, oil companies refine it in such a manner that it conforms to food sector specifications.

Thanks to its functional and nutritional properties, maize oil can be found in the following applications:

• Human nutrition
   - Cooking (frying) oil - High-temperature stability
   - Potato chips and savory snacks
   - Sauces and soups
   - Margarine and spreads
   - Infant nutrition: for its high vitamin E and linoleic acid content

• Animal nutrition
   - Cat and dog food 
   - Poultry feed (first rate energy source)

• Cosmetology / Pharmacy
   - Action on connective tissue metabolism
   - Anti-ageing creams

• Other industries
   - Natural anti-foaming agent
   - Complex carbon source for antibiotic production
   - Concrete form oil
   - Mineral oil substitute

Sample request

Early testing is important and we recognize the need for our customers to have representative material for initial lab trial. We can provide small non-commercial samples wherever you are in the world, with both the corresponding certificate of analysis and conformity and the material safety data sheet.

To obtain access to this service, please submit your sample or other request here.

Packaging

Maize oil is available in bulk.

Roquette can adapt to its customers' different transport requirements. Trailers, flexi-tanks, tankers, ships, etc….

Roquette adapts to your modes of transport.

To check the immediate availability of these packaging formats or other special packaging, please contact us for further information.