Question

Which oilseed has highest unsaturated fat?

• A. Coconut
• B. Groundnut
• C. Sunflower
• D. Palm

Hint:

Liquid vegetable oils derived from seeds (like sunflower and safflower) are highly unsaturated, whereas tropical oils (like coconut and palm) are highly saturated.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which of the given oilseeds yields an oil with the highest proportion of unsaturated fatty acids relative to saturated fatty acids.

Step 2: Key Concepts and Approach:
Fats and oils are composed of triglycerides containing saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Oils with high levels of double bonds are classified as highly unsaturated and typically remain liquid at room temperature.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Analyzing the Fatty Acid Profiles:
* Coconut: Highly saturated (about $85\text{--}90\%$ saturated fat, primarily lauric acid). It is a solid or semi-solid fat at room temperature.
* Palm Oil: Semi-solid fat containing roughly equal amounts of saturated fat ($50\%$, mostly palmitic acid) and unsaturated fat ($40\%$ oleic acid).
* Groundnut (Peanut): Contains about $80\%$ unsaturated fat (mostly oleic and linoleic acids) and $20\%$ saturated fat.
* Sunflower: Contains the highest level of unsaturated fatty acids among these options, typically exceeding $85\text{--}90\%$.
It is especially rich in polyunsaturated linoleic acid ($C18:2$), which can make up over $60\text{--}70\%$ of the oil, along with monounsaturated oleic acid ($C18:1$).

Step 4: Final Answer:
Sunflower has the highest proportion of unsaturated fat among the options, corresponding to Option (C).