The document discusses how the feed given to emus can affect the characteristics of the emu oil produced, including thickness, color, fatty acid profile, and stability. The fatty acid composition of the oil must fall within certain ranges to be certified, and high levels of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids can cause problems. The feed influences the saturation and unsaturation levels in the oil.

1. FEED EFFECTS ON
EMU OIL
CHARACTERISTICS
Paul Binford and
Marsha Huddleston

2. Feed Effects on Emu Oil Characteristics
from a Processor View Point
LB Processors, LLC
• Paul Binford - President and Co -Founder of
LB Processors
• Physical Refining AEA Certified Emu Oil
since 1994
• #1 Supplier of Emu Oil in the World
• Test All Batches with an Independent AOCS
Lab

3. Why We Are Concern About Feed
•Consistent emu oil thickness
•Color
•Fatty acid profile
•Stability

4. Consistent Emu Oil Thickness
• Emu oil will be thin or thick if feed is not
balanced.
• If to much Olean, then the emu oil will be
thin. This can be because to much
unsaturated feeds for example to much
flax, fish oils or other high 18:3 oils.
• If to much Stearin , then the emu oil will be
to thick, this can be from high saturated
feeds.

5. Color
• We have seen that a High corn diet will turn
the fat a high yellow color.
• This can be removed by using natural clays
if the fat is fresh. If the fat is stored for over
a length of time then the color seams to be
set and natural clays will not remove the
color so then we have a high yellow color.

6. Fatty acid Profile
• Fatty acid profile is the saturated and
unsaturated of the oil.
• The feed will effect the saturation and
unsaturation of the oil.

7. Problem with a High Saturated Oil
• May not pass AEA certification
• Thicker
• Chemist may question if it is emu oil.
• Inconsistent product is not ideal for creating
formulations

8. Problem with a High Unsaturated Oil
• Thin
• May not Certified
• Un Stable

9. Winterized Emu Oil
Clear Emu Oil
• C16:0 % 19.5
• C16:1 % 3.8
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C18:0 % 7.7
• C18:1 % 51
• C18:2 % 15.8
• C18:3 % 0.9
Solid Emu Oil
• C16:0 % 32.4
• C16:1 % 2.9
• C17:0 % 0.2
• C17:1 % 0
• C18:0 % 15.1
• C18:1 % 39
• C18:2 % 8.7
• C18:3 % 0.5

10. Stability
• Why is Stability Important
• Cosmetic oils need a two year shelf life
• How do we determine stability?
Analytical test: of Peroxide and Oil
Stability Index Shelf Life Study
• How does Feed Effect Stability?
High unsaturation (ex. 18:3) will
decrease stability
• How can we Stabilize oils? With
antioxidants

11. AEA Trade Rules -Fatty Acid Profile
•C14:0 0.5% -0%
•C16:0 25%-18.5%
•C16:1 5.5%-2.5%
•C18:3 2%-0%

12. Examples of Fatty Acids
Emu Oil
• C16:0 % 21.5
• C16:1 % 3.3
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C18:0 % 8.5
• C18:1 % 47.2
• C18:2 % 17.3
• C18:3 % 1.2
Ostrich
• C16:0 % 30.1
• C16:1 % 7.3
• C17:0 % 0.3
• C17:1 % 0.3
• C18:0 % 7
• C18:1 % 37.5
• C18:2 % 14.3
• C18:3 % 1.4

13. High 14:0
Typical Emu Oil
• C14:0 % 0.3
• C16:0 % 21.5
• C16:1 % 3.3
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C18:0 % 8.5
• C18:1 % 47.2
• C18:2 % 17.3
• C18:3 % 1.2
Emu Fed Dog Food
• C14:0 % 0.7
• C16:0 % 20.1
• C16:1 % 3.7
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C18:0 % 8.1
• C18:1 % 46.9
• C18:2 % 16.9
• C18:3 % 1.2

14. Low C16:0
Typical Emu Oil
• C16:0 % 21.5
• C16:1 % 3.3
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C18:0 % 8.5
• C18:1 % 47.2
• C18:2 % 17.3
• C18:3 % 1.2
Emu Oil High Rice Hull
• C16:0 % 15.0
• C16:1 % 1.2
• C17:0 % 0.1
• C17:1 % 0.1
• C80:0 % 4.9
• C18:1 % 46.1
• C18:2 % 30.3
• C18:3 % 1.0

15. How do we design a good Feed