Acorn Oil: Chemistry and Functionality

Abstract

Acorn oil has been receiving increasing attention due to its nutritional potentials. However, its application as a novel food ingredient has not yet been fully explored. This paper summarizes chemical composition, extraction methods, potential health benefits, and current applications of acorn oil, with the aim of providing suggestions for its exploitation. Acorn oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, and palmitic acids). Acorns are a rich source of tocopherols, with γ-tocopherol being the most abundant. It also contains various bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and sterols (mainly β-sitosterol). Diets enriched with acorn oil can be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and type 2 diabetes as well as offer antioxidant activity. Further studies should focus on producing better quality acorn oil such as the application of more innovative and optimized techniques that can increase its health benefits and hence utilization.

Composition, Physicochemical Properties, and Uses of Acorn Starch

“…Starch is a mixture of two biopolymers: amylose and amylopectin. e two polysaccharides are homoglycans with only two types of chain linkages, α- (1)(2)(3)(4) bonds of the main chain and α- (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) bonds in the branching points. e resulting starch showed a wide variation in the chemical composition (Table 1).…”

“…ese species produce a widely known fruit, commonly identified as acorns, which are of vital importance for both humans and animals. Acorns are a good source of starch, protein, fat, minerals (such as P, K, Ca, and Mg), unsaturated fatty acids (i.e., oleic acid), and vitamins (mostly A and E) [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In addition, acorns contain numerous biologically active compounds (such as tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids), which are essential in the human diet to maintain an adequate level of antioxidants [2].…”

Partial Characterisation of Oak Acorns Oil Extracted from Moroccan Quercus Suber L.

“…Due to the high amount of oleic and linoleic fatty acids, this high ratio was in accordance with previous results reported for the Quercus species. 19 The predominance of USFA confer QSAR and QSAS oils some important medicinal activity such as decreasing the plasma concentration of total and LDL cholesterol, enhancing metabolic and cardiovascular events, 42 and may as well help reduce the risk of developing some diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or asthma, diabetes, and perhaps even cancer. 43 Tocopherols Tocopherols are known as natural antioxidants.…”

“…6 The oil is also used in cosmetic preparations and combined with other ingredients like avocado oil and beeswax to treat skin irritation and eczema. 19 Studies have shown that acorns oil possess similar nutritional quality and physicochemical properties as olive oil. 10,19,20,21 Quercus suber L. is one of the principal extending oak tree species in the western Mediterranean basin.…”

“…19 Studies have shown that acorns oil possess similar nutritional quality and physicochemical properties as olive oil. 10,19,20,21 Quercus suber L. is one of the principal extending oak tree species in the western Mediterranean basin. This tree species is a slow-growing, medium-sized, evergreen.…”