Corn oil

• BPRefined Maize Oil
• JPCorn Oil
• Ph. Eur.Maize Oil, Refined
• USP–NFCorn Oil

maize oil; maydis oleum raffinatum; refined maize oil; Zea mays oil

Corn oil (refined fixed oil; mixed triglycerides mainly of linoleic and oleic acids) · [8001-30-7]

Polymer, mixture or material of variable composition — no single molecular formula applies.

Oleaginous vehicle

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Liquid, Sterile (parenteral/ophthalmic)

Used as a solvent and vehicle in oral soft capsules and oral solutions, as the oil phase of emulsions, as a vehicle for some intramuscular injections, and in topical preparations. It is also a major edible oil. As a vehicle it is often used undiluted, so the amount depends on the dose and fill volume.

A clear, light yellow, oily liquid with a faint characteristic odour and bland taste.

Fatty-acid composition

linoleic acid about 40–65%, oleic acid about 20–42%, palmitic acid about 9–17%, with small amounts of stearic and linolenic acids

Specific gravity

about 0.914–0.921 at 25 °C

Iodine value

about 102–130

Solubility

miscible with chloroform, ether, hexane and light petroleum; slightly soluble in ethanol; practically insoluble in water

Stable when protected from light and air, but prolonged exposure to air and heat causes oxidation and rancidity because of its high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Store in an airtight, light-resistant container in a cool place; antioxidants are often added. It can be sterilised by dry heat.

Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Obtained from the germ (embryo) of maize, Zea mays, by expression and/or solvent extraction, and then refined.

A widely consumed food oil that is generally regarded as non-toxic and non-irritant. Refined oil contains little or no protein, so allergic reactions are rare.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Spilt oil is slippery and oil-soaked materials can self-heat.

GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (intramuscular injections; oral capsules, emulsions and tablets; topical preparations) and in medicines licensed in Europe.

Cottonseed oil; peanut oil; sesame oil; soybean oil; linoleoyl macrogol-6 glycerides (corn oil PEG-6 esters).

For parenteral use, grades with low peroxide and acid values should be selected and the oil protected from oxidation, for example by nitrogen flushing. Corn oil is a common vehicle in toxicology studies, where its own biological effects need to be considered.