Fatty acid profiles, antioxidant, and phenolic contents of oils extracted from Acacia polyacantha and Azadirachta indica (Neem) seeds using green solvents

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the composition of fatty acids, antioxidant, and phenolic compounds in Acacia polyacantha and Azadirachta indica seed extracts for their potential uses in nutrition. Extractions of oil using several techniques (Soxhlet, ultrasound, and microwave) in several solvents were carried out and the oils were characterized. Total phenolic content ranged between 4.22 and 31.48 mg GAE/g. Antioxidant activity (CE50) ranged between 1.95 and 22.91 mg/ml. Oleic and linoleic acids were the major unsaturated fatty acids while palmitic and stearic acids were the major saturated fatty acids in both oils. 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid, resveratrol rutin, and flavan were identified by HPLC‐DAD at high contents while chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin, p‐coumaric acid, transferulic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were lower in Neem oil. In case of A. polyacantha oil, the percentages of ellagic acid and rutin were high. Practical applications This study investigated the best method which gives a high oil extraction yield from among Soxhlet, ultrasound, and microwave using green solvents. Results revealed that acetone and isopropanol can be used for oil extraction from seeds using microwave or ultrasound with shorter extraction times (30 min with ultrasound and 15 min for microwave). These solvents provided oils with high phenolic content and good antioxidant properties. The main fatty acids identified were oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. These oils thus have a high potential for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industrial uses.

Inventory of human-edible products from native Acacia sensu lato in Africa, America, and Asia: Spotlight on Senegalia seeds, overlooked wild legumes in the arid tropics

“…Only one paper (Banerji et al, 1988) has been found reporting such an extreme concentration of α-linolenic acid in Acacia s.l. (including Senegalia) seeds and is not in agreement with several reports (Gunstone et al, 1968;Jamal et al, 1987;Mustafa & El-Kamali, 2016;Tchinda et al, 2020) on the same species. Besides, the content of oil in Senegalia seed is marginal.…”

“…Senegalia seeds have been reported to contain phenolic acids (principally ellagic and vanillic acid), flavonoids ((epi)catechin and rutin), condensed tannins (830-2060 mg/100 g dm), cardiac glycosides, steroids, alkaloids, (hemolytic) saponins, phytate (1030-1528 mg/100 g dm), trypsin inhibitors (0.14-132 TIU/mg protein), lectins, amines, nonproteinogenic amino acids, and fatty acid epoxides (Babu & Subrahmanyam, 2010;Balogun & Fetuga, 1989;Barton et al, 1993;Evans et al, 1977Evans et al, , 1979Evans et al, , 1985Evans et al, , 1993Guissou et al, 2020;Hapner & Jermyn, 1981;Lee et al, 1977;Loganayaki et al, 2011;Odei-Addo et al, 2014;Prakash et al, 2001;Rajaram & Janardhanan, 1991;Shah et al, 1992;Sharma & Kaur, 2017;Sotelo et al, 1995;Tchinda et al, 2020;Thangavelu et al, 2015Thangavelu et al, , 2017Thangavelu et al, , 2020. Again, as it can be noted, there is limited research and details on the composition of Senegalia seeds' phytochemicals.…”

“…Again, as it can be noted, there is limited research and details on the composition of Senegalia seeds' phytochemicals. Only one report (Tchinda et al, 2020) has been found on the composition of the phenolic compounds (i.e., phenolic acids and flavonoids). The cardiac glycosides, steroids, alkaloids, and saponins are only qualitatively detected, inviting further investigation of their compositions before concluding their implications for Senegalia seed foods.…”

Babassu kernel oil: Enhanced extraction and chemical characterization

“…Also, this result may be due to the fact that the phenolic compounds, as well as the other active compounds responsible for promoting AA in oil, are thermolabilbilities and can be degraded by the interactive effect between a long time and high temperature of Soxhlet extraction (Chanioti & Tzia, 2017). Tchinda et al (2021) and Mohammadpour et al (2019) also reported higher TPC content and AA in the oil obtained by the UAE compared to the Soxhlet extraction of Acacia polyacantha and Moringa peregrina seeds, respectively. In addition, although the C* ab of the oil obtained by the UAE has resulted in a slightly more opaque saturation than the oil of the Soxhlet, the advantage of a lower extraction time (10 min) can be considered in relation to the conventional method (8 h), evidencing the relevance of this process.…”

“…oil, are thermolabilbilities and can be degraded by the interactive effect between a long time and high temperature of Soxhlet extraction(Chanioti & Tzia, 2017) Tchinda et al (2021). and Mohammadpour et al (2019) also reported higher TPC content and AA in the oil obtained by the UAE compared to the Soxhlet extraction of Acacia polyacantha and Moringa peregrina seeds, respectively.…”