Biometric features and oil contents of macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) palms natively growing in sites representatives of the Brazilian Cerrados (Campo Grande-CG, and Sao Gabriel do Oeste-SGO), and Pantanal (Corumba-CO, and Aquidauana-AQ) biomes were studied. The objective was to obtain data that could assist better planning for the exploitation of natural populations, and knowledge to help selection and breeding programs. Plant (spines presence; stem circumference; number and length of bunches) and fruits characteristics (fruits per bunch; size; mass; proportion of components-husk, pulp, shell and kernel; fruits moisture at ripening; pulp and kernel oil content) were measured from ten native palms from each site. There was variability in biometrics, biomass production potential and oil yield in the palms within each site and among the sites. No correlation was found between biometrics features and oil contents. On average, plants from CG showed better general productive characteristics than any other of the studied sites, but a large variability in fruits size. Palms from CO presented smaller fruits, but they were more homogeneous in size and with higher kernel oil contents. Fruits from SGO show bigger mass and size, but it did not result in higher fruit biomass production or oil yield. Although oil yields potential were almost half of what is usually measured in other areas of Brazil, results provided interesting data for a better planning to rational exploitation of native macauba groves in these areas. Variability within plants from all sites indicate that they could be a reserve of genetic materials for further development of cropping systems aiming production of oil and other useful products.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar caracterização química de sementes e de tortas de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas), nabo-forrageiro (Raphanus sativus) e crambe (Crambe abyssinica) após a extração do óleo por prensagem mecânica. Sementes inteiras dessas espécies foram submetidas à dupla prensagem a frio para extração do óleo, produto principal, e da torta, coproduto. Os grãos e tortas foram avaliados quanto à composição bromatológica e ao perfil de minerais. Os rendimentos de extração lipídica foram calculados com base no balanço de massas. O teor de lipídeos nas tortas foi baixo quando comparado aos valores da literatura, o que caracteriza boa eficiência de extração e versatilidade da prensa empregada. A torta de pinhão-manso apresenta fibras como principal componente, com cerca de 1/3 de sua composição total. As proteínas constituem a fração majoritária na torta de nabo-forrageiro, e o crambe apresenta composição balanceada entre fibras e proteínas. As tortas são ricas em potássio, magnésio, cálcio, sódio, manganês, ferro, zinco e boro.Termos para indexação: Crambe abyssinica, Jatropha curcas, Raphanus sativus, biodiesel, composição bromatológica, resíduos agroindustriais. Chemical characterization of seeds and presscakes of physic nut, radish and crambeAbstract -The objective of this work was to chemically characterize the seeds and presscakes of physic nut (Jatropha curcas), radish (Raphanus sativus) and crambe (Crambe abyssinica) after extracting the oil with a mechanical press. Whole seeds of these species were subjected to double cold pressing to extract the oil, or main product, and the presscake, or coproduct. The seeds and presscakes were evaluated regarding proximate composition and mineral profile. The lipid contents in the presscakes were lower when compared to the values presented in previous works, which characterizes good extraction efficiency and versatility of the employed press. Fibers are the most abundant component of physic nut presscakes, and comprise about 1/3 of their total composition. Protein is the largest fraction in radish presscakes, and crambe presents balanced fiber and protein contents. The presscakes are rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, manganese, iron, zinc and boron.

Abbreviations MAPA -Ministry of Agriculture, Husbandry and Food SupplyANVISA -Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency AI -acidity index PV-peroxide RI -refractive index K 232 -molar absorptivity at 232 nm K 270 -molar absorptivity at 270 nm FID -flame ionization detector SFC -Solid fat content FAC -composition of fatty acids MUFA -monounsaturated fatty acids † This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: AbstractMacauba or macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) has great potential for oil production in tropical America biomes. This work aimed to describe a full set of procedures to obtain high quality crude and refined pulp oil. Crude oil was extracted by forced pressing of dried, mechanically pulped fruits that were collected directly from the bunch at ripening stage. Preliminary refining process sequentially encompassed degumming, neutralization, bleaching and deodorization. Identity and quality parameters (fatty acids composition, peroxide value, molar absorptivity at 232 and 270 nm, moisture, refractive index, saponification index, unsaponifiable matter, color, total carotenoids and solid fat content) were determined in all steps. Crude and refined oils presented about 64% of monounsaturated acids (oleic acid) and 26% saturated acids (mostly palmitic acid). Oil composition and physicochemical characteristics were maintained after refining, rendering high quality oil, suitable for multipurpose employments, such as food processing and biodiesel production. Practical applicationsMacauba palm is a widespread and high-yield oil bearing fruit from Tropical America that is being domesticated in Brazil. A whole processing of the pulp oil, including fruits harvest and postharvest, was developed at lab scale to render suitable oil for food and biofuels usages. Onwards the procedures could be scaled up and the cost effectiveness must be evaluated. Graphical abstractGood practices of harvesting, processing fruits, and refining, resulted in high oleic quality macauba pulp oil that complies with most standard requirements for crude and refined edible oils.

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