Extraction and refining of oil from amaranth seed

Oil was extracted with hexane on a pilot plant scale from seeds ofAmaranthus cruentus after the seeds were subjected to an efficient abrasive milling. Optimum conditions were then determined for refining and bleaching this oil. The yellow oil obtained is similar in appearance and composition to corn oil, but comparison with previously published analyses reveals a considerable variation in the content of the principal fatty acids, palmitic, oleic and linoleic, although the squalene content (5–8%) was in the expected range.