Several additives are available to enhance oxidative stability and anti-wear characteristics.
However, many oils high in polyunsaturates, like conventional soybean oil, possess poor inherent oxidative stability and do not perform well in industrial applications, even with additives. Generally, high monounsaturated oils, like high oleic oils, demonstrate superior industrial performance and show the greatest promise for development. DuPont's recent introduction of high oleic soybean varieties presents a unique oil with many desirable characteristics. The resulting oil is high in oleic acid with a corresponding reduction in linoleic and linolenic acid content. Evaluation of oil from high oleic soybeans grown in five locations in 1996 indicated that the high oleic phenotype is stable across environments, including the Midwest areas where the crop should be produced commercially.