6.1 Plant Oils and their Uses
Oils can be extracted from plants and used in food or as a fuel (such as biodiesel). Vegetable oils are natural oils that are found in seeds, nuts and some fruits. The plants are crushed and pressed to squeeze the oil out. Olive oil is extracted this way.
Sometimes oils are more difficult to be extracted. For example, sunflower oil has to be dissolved in a solvent. When the oil has been extracted, the solvent is removed by distillation. Distillation also takes out other impurities and water, leaving pure vegetable oil.
Vegetable oils are used in food as they contain a lot of energy, vitamins such a vitamin E and many essential fatty acids, which the body requires. Furthermore, they are used in cooking as they have a higher boiling point than water, meaning that food can be cooked at a higher temperature when in oil rather than in water. Using oil to cook enhances the flavour of meals and increases the amount of energy that is provided from the meal. The increased energy from oil can lead to the eater becoming fatter because they are consuming too much energy.
Vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil and soybean oil, can be processed and turned into fuels that power a car/ an engine. Vegetable oil can be turned into biodiesel and used in a diesel car.
Sometimes oils are more difficult to be extracted. For example, sunflower oil has to be dissolved in a solvent. When the oil has been extracted, the solvent is removed by distillation. Distillation also takes out other impurities and water, leaving pure vegetable oil.
Vegetable oils are used in food as they contain a lot of energy, vitamins such a vitamin E and many essential fatty acids, which the body requires. Furthermore, they are used in cooking as they have a higher boiling point than water, meaning that food can be cooked at a higher temperature when in oil rather than in water. Using oil to cook enhances the flavour of meals and increases the amount of energy that is provided from the meal. The increased energy from oil can lead to the eater becoming fatter because they are consuming too much energy.
Vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil and soybean oil, can be processed and turned into fuels that power a car/ an engine. Vegetable oil can be turned into biodiesel and used in a diesel car.