The nutritive value of the Brazil nut oil

The chemical composition of the decorticated Brazil nut in the natural and fat‐free state was determined, and the results confirm that this seed contains significant amounts of oil and protein. In three growth experiments carried out in rats, the Brazil nut oil had a nutritive value comparable to that of butterfat and the common table oils, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and corn oil. The use of levels of the Brazil nut oil up to 20% of the diet did not reduce growth or food consumption of rats. Heat treatment of the oil up to 120 min. at 140ŶC. did not reduce its nutritive value. The coefficient of digestibility of the Brazil nut oil was similar to that of the other oils, fresh and heated. The digestibility of the Brazil nut oil averaged 98% and was not affected by the heat treatment. The data indicate that Brazil nut oil is comparable to other animal and vegetable fats and oils in common use for human consumption.