3.9 Alternative Applications
Cottonseed meal is a rich source of proteins (60–65%) and used as a feed ingredient
for ruminants and other animals. In spite of being rich in amino acids and proteins,
cottonseed meal is not used as a food ingredient intended for human consumption
due to presence of gossypol. As discussed previously, gossypol is a binaphthyl,
dialdehyde, and polyhydroxyl pigment which is highly reactive and deleterious to
monogastric animals, including humans. According to USFDA, edible cottonseed
protein products can have not more than 0.045% “free” gossypol (Gilani and Lee
2003). Cottonseed hulls are used primarily as roughage in cattle and dairy feeds,
where they are employed as a bulking agent to reduce digestive disturbances. In
India, a small proportion (5–10%) of cottonseed oil is also used in the preparation of
soap. Cottonseed linters are used in a variety of applications such as for the
manufacturing of furniture’s cushions, paper currency, and absorbent cotton products (such as pads). After chemical treatment, cottonseed oil and linters can also be
used as bulking agents in ice creams and toothpaste and for the photographic films,
toys, flexible pipes, polish, membranes, synthetic plastics and leathers, varnishes,
etc. (Gunstone 2001; O’Brien et al. 2005). Recently, cottonseed oil was also used for
the preparation of fat replacers/fat substitutes to provide zero calories under the trade
name of olestra.
3.10 Conclusion
Cottonseed is a rich source of oil, protein, fibers/linters, and other bioactive components. Cottonseed oil contains highest amount of saturated fatty acids among all the
vegetable oils, which eliminates the need of hydrogenation and trans fat formation
for further food applications. Cottonseed meal is rich in proteins having the protein
efficiency ratio equivalent to casein. However, due to the presence of toxic gossypol,
cottonseed meal is not used for human consumption, and after processing, it is used
as a feed ingredient. Majorly, cottonseed oil is used as liquid oil in the form of
cooking oil and salad oil worldwide. Another food application of cottonseed oil lies
in the formulation of margarine and shortenings.
References
Akinola OB, Dosunmu OO, Dini L, Ajayi S (2009) Proteinaceous diet inhibits gossypol-induced
spermatotoxicity. Eur J Histochem 50(3):205–208
Alam MB, An H, Ra JS, Lim JY, Lee SH, Yoo CY, Lee SH (2018) Gossypol from cottonseeds
ameliorates glucose uptake by mimicking insulin signaling and improves glucose homeostasis
in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018:1–11. https://doi.
org/10.1155/2018/5796102
3 Cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum)
8 7
Cottonseed meal is a rich source of proteins (60–65%) and used as a feed ingredient
for ruminants and other animals. In spite of being rich in amino acids and proteins,
cottonseed meal is not used as a food ingredient intended for human consumption
due to presence of gossypol. As discussed previously, gossypol is a binaphthyl,
dialdehyde, and polyhydroxyl pigment which is highly reactive and deleterious to
monogastric animals, including humans. According to USFDA, edible cottonseed
protein products can have not more than 0.045% “free” gossypol (Gilani and Lee
2003). Cottonseed hulls are used primarily as roughage in cattle and dairy feeds,
where they are employed as a bulking agent to reduce digestive disturbances. In
India, a small proportion (5–10%) of cottonseed oil is also used in the preparation of
soap. Cottonseed linters are used in a variety of applications such as for the
manufacturing of furniture’s cushions, paper currency, and absorbent cotton products (such as pads). After chemical treatment, cottonseed oil and linters can also be
used as bulking agents in ice creams and toothpaste and for the photographic films,
toys, flexible pipes, polish, membranes, synthetic plastics and leathers, varnishes,
etc. (Gunstone 2001; O’Brien et al. 2005). Recently, cottonseed oil was also used for
the preparation of fat replacers/fat substitutes to provide zero calories under the trade
name of olestra.
3.10 Conclusion
Cottonseed is a rich source of oil, protein, fibers/linters, and other bioactive components. Cottonseed oil contains highest amount of saturated fatty acids among all the
vegetable oils, which eliminates the need of hydrogenation and trans fat formation
for further food applications. Cottonseed meal is rich in proteins having the protein
efficiency ratio equivalent to casein. However, due to the presence of toxic gossypol,
cottonseed meal is not used for human consumption, and after processing, it is used
as a feed ingredient. Majorly, cottonseed oil is used as liquid oil in the form of
cooking oil and salad oil worldwide. Another food application of cottonseed oil lies
in the formulation of margarine and shortenings.
References
Akinola OB, Dosunmu OO, Dini L, Ajayi S (2009) Proteinaceous diet inhibits gossypol-induced
spermatotoxicity. Eur J Histochem 50(3):205–208
Alam MB, An H, Ra JS, Lim JY, Lee SH, Yoo CY, Lee SH (2018) Gossypol from cottonseeds
ameliorates glucose uptake by mimicking insulin signaling and improves glucose homeostasis
in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018:1–11. https://doi.
org/10.1155/2018/5796102
3 Cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum)
8 7