Chemical Properties
Clear light yellow or yellow oil
Uses
Usually used in research applications as delivery vehicle for fat-soluble compounds including toxins.
General Description
Clear light yellow or yellow oily liquid. Faint taste. Faint odor.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
On prolonged exposure to air, CORN OIL thickens and becomes rancid. CORN OIL is sensitive to light.
Fire Hazard
CORN OIL is combustible.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. It consists primarily of the glycerides of the fatty acids linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic.
Production Methods
Refined corn oil is obtained from the germ or embryo of Zea mays Linne(Fam.Gramineae),which contains nearly 50% of the fixed oil compared with 3.0–6.5% in the whole kernel. The oil is obtained from the embryo by expression and/or solvent extraction. Refining involves the removal of free fatty acids, phospholipids, and impurities; decolorizing with solid adsorbents; dewaxing by chilling; and deodorization at high temperature and under vacuum.
Agricultural Uses
Corn oil is an adjuvant used in herbicide sprays. It improves their function by improving wetting, reducing evaporation, increasing penetration and enhancing deposition and compatibility. Corn oil is not phyto-toxic; it is added for better penetration in plant leaves.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Corn oil is used primarily in pharmaceutical formulations as a solvent for intramuscular injections or as a vehicle for topical preparations. Emulsions containing up to 67% corn oil are also used as oral nutritional supplements; see also Section 18. When combined with surfactants and gel-forming polymers, it is used to formulate veterinary vaccines.
Corn oil has a long history of use as an edible oil and may be used in tablets or capsules for oral administration.
Safety
Corn oil is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material with an extensive history of usage in food preparation.
storage
Corn oil is stable when protected with nitrogen in tightly sealed bottles. Prolongedexposureto airleads tothickening and rancidity. Cornoilmaybesterilizedbydryheat,maintainingitat150°C for 1 hour.
Corn oil should be stored in an airtight, light-resistant container in a cool, dry place. Exposure to excessive heat should be avoided.
Incompatibilities
The photooxidation of corn oil is sensitized by cosmetic and druggrade samples of coated titanium oxide and zinc oxide.
Regulatory Status
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (IM injections, oral capsules, suspensions, and tablets). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
