Emu oil is an oil derived from body fat harvested from certain subspecies of the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia.[1][2]
Unadulterated emu oil can vary widely in colour and viscosity anywhere from an off-white creamy texture to a thin yellow liquid, depending on the diet of the emu and the refining method(s) used.[3] Industrially refined emu oil is composed of a minimum of 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest component is oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil also contains roughly 20% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) and 1–2% linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).[3] Fully refined emu oil has a bland flavour.[3]
Emu oil has previously been wrongly promoted as a dietary supplement with the claim it can treat a variety of human ailments, including cancer and arthritis.[4]
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". American Emu Association.
- ^ Devantier, Alecia T; Carol, Turkington (2006). Extraordinary Jobs in Agriculture and Nature. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-5854-9. Retrieved 2011-02-21 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b c "Emu Oil Trade Rule 103: RULE 103 – DEFINITIONS OF GRADES AND QUALITY OF EMU OIL USED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES" (PDF). American Emu Association.
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