Thermal and chemical characterization of fractions from Syagrus romanzoffiana kernel oil

Abstract

The Jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana) kernel oil (JKO) has a pleasant coconut-like smell, with about 33% lauric acid and 28% oleic acid. The oil also contains bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, carotenoids, and tocopherols. JKO has a solid consistency at low temperatures, but has a low melting point and low solid content at room temperature. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the thermal properties related to crystallization and fusion, as well as the chemical and oxidative characteristics of JKO fractions, olein and stearin, obtained from dry and solvent fractionation. In general, stearins had higher crystallization and melting temperatures, and higher solid fat content, unlike oleins, which may be associated with the concentration of high melting triglycerides in the stearins. No statistically significant difference was found for fatty acid profile or oxidative stability of the fractions. The type of fractionation influenced the chemical and thermal properties of JKO fractions. The solvent process promoted the most relevant differentiation of fractions. An olein was obtained with 7% less solid fat at 25 °C which remained visually liquid at 2 °C below the oil, as well as a stearin with 17% more solid fat at 25 °C which remained visually solid at 3 °C above the oil.

Arecaceae Seeds Constitute a Healthy Source of Fatty Acids and Phenolic Compounds

“…In this work, B. capitata and C. nucifera were the best CyA- and CA-producers’ species ( p < 0.05). As for the S. romanzofianna sampled in this work, it contained higher OA and LA, and lower LaA, percentages than those previously reported [ 5 , 25 , 26 ]. Such differences in the FA profiles could be related to the climates where samples were collected, given that the area of collection in this work is characterized by a dry and Mediterranean-type climate with lower average temperatures and rainfall levels than those of the South America regions where S. romanzofianna is native and where it was collected to be analyzed in previous works.…”