Compositions derived from Salvia hispanica seeds

A method of preparing an extract from chia seeds, said method comprising:

• a) introducing acetonitrile to chia seeds to form a mixture;
• b) agitating the mixture at a maintained temperature above room temperature for a period of time;
• c) filtering the chia seeds from the agitated mixture;
• d) evaporating the filtered mixture under reduced pressure to remove the acetonitrile and to form a crude chia seed oil;
• e) introducing methyl t-butyl ether to the crude chia seed oil to form a solution;
• f) adding a decolorant to the solution;
• g) agitating the solution containing the decolorant for a second period of time;
• h) filtering the decolorant from the agitated solution;
• and
• i) evaporating the methyl t-butyl ether from the filtered solution under reduced pressure, thereby preparing the extract,
• wherein relative to the crude chia seed oil, the extract comprises one or more of the following:
• an increased amount of cis, cis-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (LA);
• an increased amount of cis, cis, cis-9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid (ALA);
• and/or
• increased stability and reduced color change when stored at 50° C. for up to eight weeks.