Cottonseed oil is low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium but provides a good source of Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Protein, Thiamin, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Manganese. Because of it’s balanced nutritional properties, the seed oil can be extracted from the kernels and refined to be served as a nutritional additive for salad dressings and cooking oil. Refined cottonseed oil is also used in the production of margarine and shortening.

Cotton plants are perennial herbs that require long frost-free periods with plenty of sunshine but moderate rainfall. The fruit of the cotton is a leathery capsule called a boll. These fuzzy seeds are removed from the fibers during the ginning process and then processed into oil.