Macadamia oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from the nut meat of the macadamia

Macadamia

Macadamia is a genus of nine species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, with a disjunct distribution native to eastern Australia , New Caledonia and Sulawesi in Indonesia ....

 (Macadamia integrifolia) tree, a native Australian nut. Macadamia oil is sometimes used in food

Food

Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...

 as a frying or salad oil, and in cosmetic

Cosmetics

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...

 formulations as an emollient or fragrance fixative.

Chemical structure

Macadamia oil contains approximately 60% oleic acid

Oleic acid

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable fats. It has the formula CH37CH=CH7COOH. It is an odorless, colourless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. The trans isomer of oleic acid is called elaidic acid...

, 19% palmitoleic acid

Palmitoleic acid

Palmitoleic acid, or -9-hexadecenoic acid, is an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid with the formula CH35CH=CH7COOH that is a common constituent of the glycerides of human adipose tissue. It is present in all tissues, but generally found in higher concentrations in the liver...

, 1-3% Linoleic acid

Linoleic acid

Linoleic acid is an unsaturated n-6 fatty acid. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature. In physiological literature, it has a lipid number of 18:2...

 and 1-2% Linolenic acid. Some varieties contain roughly equal omega-6 and omega-3. Although macadamia is cultivated in many different parts of the world, the oil's fatty acid profile is not greatly influenced by environmental factors. The oil displays chemical properties typical of a vegetable triglyceride oil. It is also very stable due to its low polyunsaturated fat

Polyunsaturated fat

In nutrition, polyunsaturated fat, or polyunsaturated fatty acid, are fatty acids in which more than one carbon–carbon double bond exists within the representative molecule. That is, the molecule has two or more points on its structure capable of supporting hydrogen atoms not currently part of the...

 content.

Physical properties

Macadamia oil is liquid at room temperature. The refined oil is clear, lightly amber-colored with a slightly nutty odour. It is possible to refine it to complete transparency, but the faint odour of macadamia nuts remains.

Uses in food

Macadamia oil has become very popular in Modern Australian cuisine. It is an excellent frying oil due to its high heat capacity.
Several properties of macadamia oil are particularly important for use as an edible oil:

• It contains up to 85% monounsaturated fat
  Monounsaturated fat
  In biochemistry and nutrition, monounsaturated fats or MUFA are fatty acids that have one double bond in the fatty acid chain and all of the remainder of the carbon atoms in the chain are single-bonded...
  
  s
• has an unrefrigerated shelf life
  Shelf life
  Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
  
   of one to two years
• a smoke point
  Smoke point
  The smoke point generally refers to the temperature at which a cooking fat or oil begins to break down to glycerol and free fatty acids, and produce bluish smoke. The glycerol is then further broken down to acrolein which is a component of the smoke. It is the presence of the acrolein that causes...
  
   of 410 °F (210 °C)

Uses in cosmetics

Macadamia oil's rich, cushiony skinfeel and high oxidative stability make it especially suitable for heavy creams and suncare formulations. Derivatives of Macadamia oil in cosmetics include the light emollient Ethyl Macadamiate

Ethyl Macadamiate

Ethyl Macadamiate is the ester of ethyl alcohol and the fatty acids derived from Macadamia Terifolia Seed Oil . Ethyl Macadamiate is commonly used in cosmetic formulations.- Chemical structure :...

 and water soluble PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides

PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides

PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides is the polyethylene glycol derivative of the mono- and diglycerides derived from macadamia nut oil with an average of 16 moles of ethylene oxide. PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides are commonly used in cosmetic formulations....

.

Macadamia oil is an excellent botanical replacement for mink oil

Mink oil

Mink oil is made from mink fat and originates from China. The fat that is made into this oil is stored just beneath the skin. Removed from pelts destined for the fur industry, the fat is rendered into mink oil....

 in most applications.

Macadamia oil's INCI name is Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil.