Soybean oil is among the most widely used edible oils in the world and it is rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, a mixture of triglycerides composed of five long chain fatty acids particularly linolenic acid (C18:3), linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1) 

Soy oil does not have a single molecular structure as it consists of various triglycerides derived from fatty acids.

Raw materials used in production. 

• The fundamental raw materials are soybeans, which are grown, harvested, and processed to extract the oil.

Step-by-step summary of industrial production process.

• Cultivation and Harvesting. Soybeans are cultivated and subsequently harvested from fields.
• Cleaning. The seeds are cleaned of debris and other foreign materials.
• Dehulling. The outer husk of the seed is removed.
• Crushing and Heating. Cleaned and dehulled seeds are crushed and often pre-heated.
• Oil Extraction. Oil is extracted using solvents like hexane or through pressing (pressing).
• Refining. Extracted oil is refined to remove impurities and enhance color and scent.
• Hydrogenation (optional). The oil may be hydrogenated to modify its consistency and stability.

Form and color. 

Soy oil is a light yellowish liquid and has a slightly vegetal odor and flavor.

Commercial applications. 

Used as cooking oil, in baking products, in margarines, and as a base for other food preparations and sauces.

Studies

The objective of this research was to model the dose-response relationship between the amount of soybean oil in the salad and the absorption of 1) carotenoids, phylloquinone and tocopherols in salads and 2) retinyl palmitate formed by provitamin A carotenoids (1).

Medicine

In some studies, the dose of intravenous soybean oil (SO) has been associated with a decreased incidence of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (2).

The present study investigated the anti-diabetic activity and potential mechanism of stigmasterol (SMR), which is a kind of phytosterols derived from the edible soybean oil in vitro and in vivo (3).

Industry

Transesterification of vegetable oils with short-chain alcohols is used to produce biodiesel (4).

Cosmetics

Protects the skin with a moisturising action.

Food Industry. Soy oil is widely used as a cooking oil and in the food industry for frying, baking, and as an ingredient in products like mayonnaise and sauces.

Cosmetic Industry. Soy oil is applied in cosmetic products for its moisturizing and emollient properties, being used in creams, lotions, and balms.

Biofuel Production. Soy oil serves as a raw material for the production of biodiesel and other biofuels.

Chemical Industry. It is utilized in the manufacture of resins, plastics, lubricants, and paints.

Animal Feed. Sometimes, soy oil is used in animal feeds to enhance their energy content.

Soybean oil studies

References__________________________________________________________

(1) White WS, Zhou Y, Crane A, Dixon P, Quadt F, Flendrig LM. Modeling the dose effects of soybean oil in salad dressing on carotenoid and fat-soluble vitamin bioavailability in salad vegetables. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Oct;106(4):1041-1051. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.117.153635. Epub 2017 Aug 16.

(2) Ong ML, Purdy IB, Levit OL, Robinson DT, Grogan T, Flores M, Calkins KL. Two-Year Neurodevelopment and Growth Outcomes for Preterm Neonates Who Received Low-Dose Intravenous Soybean Oil. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2018 Feb;42(2):352-360. doi: 10.1177/0148607116674482. Epub 2017 Dec 19

(3) Wang J, Huang M, Yang J, Ma X, Zheng S, Deng S, Huang Y, Yang X, Zhao P. Anti-diabetic activity of stigmasterol from soybean oil by targeting the GLUT4 glucose transporter.  Food Nutr Res. 2017 Aug 23;61(1):1364117. doi: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1364117. eCollection 2017.

(4) Churasia A, Singh J, Kumar A. Production of biodiesel from soybean oil biomass as renewable energy source. J Environ Biol. 2016 Nov;37(6):1303-07.