Soybean oil

Soybean oil (CAS 8001-22-7), also traded as soya oil, is a commodity vegetable oil derived from processed soybeans.

Where is Soybean oil used?

• Food manufacturing: cooking oil, frying medium, and fat component in margarines, dressings, and processed foods
• Personal care: moisturizing creams and lotions
• Hair conditioners: emollient that supports skin feel and spreadability
• Coatings and alkyd resins: drying oil component that contributes to film formation and flexibility
• Rubber and polymer formulations: plasticizer and softener that improves workability and reduces brittleness
• It functions as a base oil, plasticizer, and carrier in formulations.
• Base for printing inks (soy ink) and oil paints.
• Carrier for lipid-soluble plant extracts and vitamins.
• Technical industry: soap production.
• Refined grade is intended for food production; crude grade is intended for feed and technical industry.

Formulation notes

• Saturated fat content of ~16%, compared with ~49% for palm oil.
• Fully liquid at room temperature, whereas palm oil is semi-solid.
• Cost advantage compared with other vegetable oils, increasing competitiveness in industrial production.

Typical specification

• RBD refined soybean oil has a free fatty acid content of ≤0.05%.
• RBD refined soybean oil has an iodine value of 124–139 g I₂/100g (Wijs).
• RBD refined soybean oil has a smoke point of ≥232°C.
• Generally distinguished as refined or cold-pressed.
• Supplied in crude and refined grades.

Regulatory status

• RBD refined soybean oil meets Codex Alimentarius standard CODEX STAN 20-1981.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Stored cool, dark, and well sealed, it keeps for about one year.

Frequently asked questions about Soybean oil

Which soybean oil grades are available for pharmaceutical use?

Refined oil produced from GMO soybeans conforming to Ph. Eur. and hydrogenated Ph. Eur. grade are supplied.

Can soybean oil be used as an excipient in parenteral nutrient solutions?

It is used as an excipient in the manufacture of parenteral nutrient solutions.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.