wheat germ oil

{{Short description|Oil extracted from the embryo of a wheat seed}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2010}}

Image:WheatgermOil.png

Wheat germ oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel, which makes up 2-3% by weight of whole grain wheat. Wheat germ may yield 8-14% of oil in its total content.

In a reference amount of {{convert|100|g}}, wheat germ oil supplies 884 calories. Wheat germ oil has a high content of vitamin E (149 mg/100g),{{cite web |title=Nutritional profile of wheat germ oil per 100 grams |url=https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171014/nutrients |publisher=FoodData Central, US Department of Agriculture |access-date=22 December 2023 |date=1 April 2019}} the content of which diminishes substantially due to oxidation by extrusion treatment, oven-roasting or storage for 6 weeks. As a cooking oil, it is strongly flavored and easily perishable.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

Wheat germ oil contains the following fatty acids:

:

class="wikitable" ! Component !! g/100g
Linoleic acid (omega-6)	align="center" | 55
Palmitic acid	align="center" | 17
Oleic acid	align="center" | 15
Linolenic acid (omega-3)	align="center" | 7

Wheat germ oil is rich in phytosterols, especially campesterol and beta-sitosterol, which remain stable in content during long-term storage. It also contains octacosanol, a 28-carbon long-chain sterol found in vegetable waxes.{{cite journal | last1=Liu | first1=Xiaojun | last2=Chi | first2=Chengye | last3=Zhou | first3=Shengmin | last4=Jiang | first4=Yuanrong | title=Comparison of wheat germ and oil characteristics and stability by different stabilization techniques | journal=LWT - Food Science and Technology| date=2023 | volume=191 | doi=10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115664 | page=115664| doi-access=free }}