# Ramtil oil

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Main article: [Guizotia abyssinica](/source/Guizotia_abyssinica)

**Ramtil oil**, also known as **Niger seed oil**, is used mainly in cooking but also for lighting. In [India](/source/India) it is pressed from the seed of *[Guizotia oleifera](/source/Guizotia_oleifera)* of the family [Asteraceae](/source/Asteraceae). A very similar oil is made in [Africa](/source/Africa) from *[G. abyssinica](/source/Guizotia_abyssinica)*. The oil is used as an extender for [sesame oil](/source/Sesame_oil), which it resembles, as well as for making [soap](/source/Soap), in addition to its role as an illuminant.[1][2]

## Countries

The plant was originally cultivated in the Ethiopian highlands but is also cultivated in [Mexico](/source/Mexico), [Germany](/source/Germany), [Brazil](/source/Brazil), [Nepal](/source/Nepal), [India](/source/India) as well as other parts of [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia).

## Composition

The oil is rich in [linoleic acid](/source/Linoleic_acid) (75-80%) and other [essential nutrients](/source/Essential_nutrients), with a [fatty acid](/source/Fatty_acid) composition comparable to [safflower](/source/Safflower) and [sunflower](/source/Helianthus_annuus). The oil contains palmitic and stearic acids (7-8%) and oleic acid (5-8%). Indian Niger oil is reportedly higher in oleic acid (25%) and lower in linoleic acid (55%).[3]

## Ethiopia revival

There was an extended declining period of Niger seed oil production, due to the import of cheap [palm oils](/source/Palm_oil), but an apparent waning appetite for these, and a government ban on oil imports, there has been a marked revival and several manufacturers produce one, two, three and five liters of oil.[4]

## References

1. B.L. Axtell from research by R.M. Fairman (1992). ["Noog abyssinia"](http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5043E/x5043E0a.htm). *Minor oil crops*. [FAO](/source/FAO). Retrieved 2006-11-17.

1. Weiss, E.A. (1983). *Oilseed Crops*. Tropical Agriculture Series. [Longman](/source/Longman). pp. 486–508. ISBN 0-582-46338-6.

1. [Niger seed oil](http://www.oilmillmachinery.net/niger-seed-oil-ethiopia.html)- Retrieved 2016-11-21

1. ["Revival of Niger Seed Oil Business"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161122220739/http://ethiopianbusinessreview.net/index.php/focuss/item/511-revival-of-niger-seed-oil-business). *Ethiopian Business Review*. No. 16. Champion Communications Ethiopia. July 2014. Archived from [the original](http://ethiopianbusinessreview.net/index.php/focuss/item/511-revival-of-niger-seed-oil-business) on 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2016-11-21.

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