Products
Medicinal grade peanut oil is available in pharmacies and drugstores. In grocery stores, it is sold as an edible oil.
Structure and properties
The European Pharmacopoeia defines two types:
- 1. refined peanut oil PhEur is refined fatty oil obtained from the hulled seeds of L.. It is a clear, yellowish, viscous liquid.
- 2. hydrogenated peanut oil PhEur is an oil obtained by purification, bleaching, hydrogenation and deodorization, obtained from the hulled seeds of L.. It is a white to slightly yellowish, soft mass that melts to a clear and pale yellow liquid when heated. It is practically insoluble in water.
Arachis Hypogaea Oil INCI used in cosmetics is also a refined, ie purified, peanut oil. The products can be obtained by cold and hot pressing or extraction with hexane. Refining is important to remove harmful substances such as aflatoxins.
Ingredients
The fatty acids contained in triglycerides include mainly oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. The content of arachidic, behenic and lignoceric acids is typical.
Effects
Peanut oil is used in cosmetics as a skin care agent and solvent.
Uses
- In pharmacy as an excipient, solvent and as an ointment base.
- As a skin care agent, to soften crusts, as a bath additive and ingredient of cosmetics.
- As an edible oil.
- For technical applications.
Contraindications
Peanut oil is contraindicated in cases of peanut allergy. Although highly purified peanut oil is allergen-free, there are peanut oils that contain allergens.
Adverse effects
Like other fatty oils, peanut oil can become rancid. It should therefore be stored away from light, in a container that is as full as possible. Unpurified peanut oil may cause peanut allergy.