Corn oil is used primarily for food. It is favored as a saladoil and frying oil because it contains little cholesterol;large quantities of it are converted into margarine byhydrogenation, a process in whichthe oil is combined with hydrogen at high temperature andpressure in the presence of a catalyst.

Corn oil also has multiple industrial uses. For example, it hasbeen incorporated into soaps, paints, and inks. It also hasbeen used in the production of certain insecticides and in themanufacture of biodiesel.