Molecular distillation of a hydrogenated cottonseed oil and certain characteristics of the distilled fractions

Summary 1. A hydrogenated cottonseed oil has been molecularly distilled, and the distilled fractions examined. 2. Fractionation of a molecularly distilled oil occurs, as is to be expected, on the basis of variations in molecular weight of the glycerides. The composition of cottonseed oil is such that there is a considerable separation of the glycerides according to their degree of unsaturation. The composition of peanut oil is such that similar separation can only be slight. Soybean oil is in this respect intermediate between cottonseed oil and peanut oil. 3. Molecular distillation of hydrogenated cottonseed oil causes a segregation of tocopherols and related compounds similar to that observed in peanut oil. However, the fractions first distilled from the oil are relatively weak in antioxygenic properties. It appears probable that their lack of effectiveness is due to the presence of unknown substances capable of inhibiting or counteracting the action of tocopherols. However, the presence of substances other than tocopherols, which respond to or interfere with the Emmerie-Engel test is not to be excluded. The tocopherols in the potent fractions are more effective thana-tocopherol, but less effective than γ-tocopherol. This is one of four regional research laboratories operated by the Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, Agricultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture.