Final answer:
Edible oils originate from two primary sources: animal sources, which include fats from meat and dairy products, and plant sources, which consist of various oils from seeds and fruits with a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of Edible Oils
The two origins of edible oils are animal sources and plant sources. Animal sources of fats include meat, whole milk, lard, butter, and cheese, which are typically high in saturated fats. In contrast, plant sources provide a variety of oils such as soybean oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and others, which are usually richer in unsaturated fats and remain liquid at room temperature. Among the plant sources, certain plants like canola oil come from varieties of Brassica rapa and B. napus and are grown not only for their oil but also as animal feed. These plant-derived oils are composed of esters, which are combinations of glycerine and carboxylic acids like palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid. In human nutrition, unsaturated fats from these oils are considered healthier as they help to lower blood cholesterol levels.