The nutritional value of specialty fats
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July 12 09:36:01, 2025
China has a rich variety of oil crops. The five major oil crops in the country are rapeseed, soybean, peanut, sunflower seed, and cottonseed, with rapeseed and peanut production ranking first globally. Beyond these main crops, China also possesses numerous unique oil sources commonly referred to as "small oils." These small oils are not as widely cultivated or produced as the five major crops, and their yields are generally lower. However, they offer distinctive nutritional benefits and have become increasingly important in the market.
Special oils are derived from non-traditional oilseeds and are known for their high content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids, which are beneficial for health. They also contain various trace elements and bioactive compounds, making them highly nutritious. As a result, special oils often command significantly higher prices than conventional oils. Their development and use play a key role in enhancing the edible oil industry, improving economic efficiency, promoting public health, and boosting export revenue.
There are over 100 types of special oils in China. Some of the most well-known include camellia seed oil, tea seed oil, safflower seed oil, flaxseed oil, grape seed oil, walnut oil, and rice bran oil. Many of these have been developed and utilized on a large scale, and some have even been included in national deep-processing projects, highlighting the government’s support for their growth. These oils are valued for their unique properties and potential, offering great opportunities for both domestic consumption and international trade.
To better understand the value and potential of these specialty oils, let’s explore three representative examples: camellia seed oil, safflower seed oil, and rice bran oil.
1. **Camellia Seed Oil**
Camellia trees, also known as tea trees, are woody oil plants primarily grown in southern China, especially in Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangxi. The oil is extracted from the seeds of *Camellia oleifera* and is renowned for its high content of oleic and linoleic acids—up to 90% combined. With a composition similar to olive oil, it is often called the “Oriental Olive Oil.†It is stable, resistant to oxidation, and beneficial for heart health, helping to prevent conditions like hypertension and obesity.
2. **Safflower Oil**
Safflower is an annual plant that thrives in diverse climates and soils. It is particularly abundant in Xinjiang, China. Safflower seed oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own. It also contains vitamin E and sterols, which contribute to its health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Due to its nutritional profile, safflower oil is highly competitive in the global market.
3. **Rice Bran Oil**
Rice bran is a byproduct of rice processing and has been used for oil extraction for nearly 900 years. In modern times, large-scale production began in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. Rice bran oil is nutritionally superior, containing a balanced ratio of oleic and linoleic acids (42% and 38%, respectively), which aligns with modern dietary recommendations. It also includes natural antioxidants like vitamin E and oryzanol, making it a valuable addition to the edible oil market.
The refining process for these oils typically involves steps such as degumming, deacidification, and deodorization. Some, like camellia and rice bran oils, require additional treatments like dewaxing and deesterification. These refined oils are now widely available in major cities across China, especially in coastal areas, where they are gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers.
To further support the development of specialty oils, the National Development and Reform Commission included several projects in 2002, such as the deep processing of rice bran oil in Hunan, tea oil in Jiangxi, and safflower oil in Xinjiang, under the national agricultural by-product deep-processing demonstration program. With continued policy support, the future of specialty oils looks promising, with more innovative and high-quality options expected to reach the market.