Nutrients content, characterization and oil extraction from Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. fruits

Abstract

Proximate composition, physical and chemical analysis of the pulp, kernel and oils of Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. were investigated. The macauba pulp and the kernel represented 49 and 6.25% of the mass of the whole fruit, respectively. The main components present in the pulp and kernel are lipids (23.62 and 46.96%) and fibers (13.89 and 15.81%). Furthermore, the mineral analysis showed that the kernel had more micronutrients than pulp, principally Cu, Mn and Zn. The influence of extraction by pressing and Soxhlet extractor in different solvents regarding the quality and yield of the oils was evaluated. The highest yield in oil extraction was obtained by Soxhlet method, influenced by the type of solvent and part of macauba's fruit. For pulp, the better solvent is ethanol and ethanol 95%, and for kernel is ethanol, ethanol 95%, hexane and ethyl either. The analysis of the composition of fatty acids in the oil from the pulp and kernel showed that the monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant in the pulp oil, specially the oleic acid (C 18:1), and saturated fatty acids in the kernel oil, principally the lauric acid (C 12:0).

Pressurized liquid extraction of macauba pulp oil

“…It can be seen from the data presented in Table that the fatty acids composition was not affected by the solvent and extraction method used (p > 0.05). Oleic and palmitic acids are the main fatty acids identified, in agreement with results reported in the literature for oils obtained from pressing and conventional extraction in a Soxhlet . On average, the major fatty acids in the macauba pulp oil (oleic and palmitic) represent ∼88 % of the oil composition.…”

“…A comparison of the best results obtained in this study using the PLE technique with those reported by other authors (including other extraction methods) can be seen in Table . It is clear from this table that with the use of polar solvents, in this study and Lescano et al, higher yields can be obtained in comparison with n ‐hexane, which is probably due to the higher percentage of polar lipids in macauba pulp. Trentini et al obtained lower yields using isopropanol due to the lower temperature applied and because the process was conducted at low pressure.…”

“…The macauba fruit consists mostly of pulp, which has an oil content of around 18.7 to 32 %, and contains a high amount of active compounds . The oil obtained from macauba pulp has high concentrations of β‐carotene, flavonoids, and oleic acid, and lesser contents of phytosterols and tocopherols …”

“…The method of extraction used to obtain macauba pulp oil (MPO) needs to provide an extract with high quality and yield while retaining the bioactive compounds present in the matrix. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is a technique that combines temperature and pressure with the use of liquid solvents to achieve rapid and efficient extraction, and it is associated with low solvent consumption . The literature reports the efficiency of this technique for extracting oil from wheat germ, grape seed, palm, watermelon seed, and safflower; however, PLE does not appear to have been applied to obtain macauba pulp oil.…”

Macauba ( Acrocomia aculeata ) pulp oil quality is negatively affected by drying fruits at 60 ºC

“…It is usually assumed that macauba oil has got high acidity, although reports in the literature show variable results, with values as low as 0.8% 18 and as high as 65% 32 . Acidity development in the macauba pulp oil seems to be dependent on how the fruits are collected, stored 33,34 , and samples are prepared for analytical procedures 35,36 . It is commonly accepted that fruits should be collected from the bunch and processed as soon as possible to render low acidification, but there is not enough support in the literature for such a claim.…”