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Abstract: Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) is an underutilised legume indigenous to the Kalahari Desert region of southern Africa. The bean has high lipid content and hence is a potential source for production of edible oil. The headspace volatile composition of freshly pressed marama bean oil was explored and the oil was further studied during 7months of storage under different light and temperature conditions. The oxidative stability of the oil was examined by measuring peroxide value, vitamin E content and FT-IR spectra. Additionally, the headspace volatile composition of the oil was investigated during storage by use of dynamic headspace GC–MS. The results showed that marama oil is highly stable and has good natural antioxidant properties; enzymatic lipid oxidation does not take place in marama oil. Light has a greater effect on the lipid oxidation than has temperature, and hence marama oil should preferably be stored in darkness and rather at 25°C than 35°C. Under these conditions, the marama oil has a shelf life of at least 7months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]