Soybean oils, both liquid and partially hydrogenated, are exported abroad, sold as "vegetable oil," or end up in a wide variety of processed foods. Soybean meal, or soymeal, is the material remaining after solvent extraction of oil from soybean flakes, with a 50% soy protein content.
Where did soybean oil come from?
Production of soybeans expanded from the southern part of the United States. The industries that process soybeans to produce soy oil and soybean meal are called processing or crushing industries. Oil from the soybeans can be removed by any one of the two oil extraction methods.
How much oil is in soybean seeds?
Commodity soybeans contain approximately 20% oil with a favorable proportion of linoleic acid ( Fang et al. 2017 ). Oil is accumulated rapidly in soybean seeds during the pod-filling stage, which is accompanied by a dramatic increase in seed size ( Song et al. 2013 ).
Is soybean oil a good source of linoleic acid?
Soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr.) is one of the most valuable oilseed crops with high global economic relevance, accounting for 60% of the world oilseed production in 2021/2022 ( www.statista.com ). Commodity soybeans contain approximately 20% oil with a favorable proportion of linoleic acid ( Fang et al. 2017 ).