Bioactive compounds of fractionated palm oil with a higher content of oleic acid

Abstract

Abstract BRS Manicoré cultivar is an interspecific hybrid between Elaeis oleifera and Elaeis guineensis(ISH OxG). It has shown high yield potential and genetic resistance to phytosanitary problems in cultivation in Brazil. Studies have indicated differences in the composition of ISH OxG and palm oils, as well as the influence of genotype and environment on palm oil characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of fatty acids, carotenoids, and tocochromanols in the olein and stearin fractions of the oil produced by the ISH OxG cultivated in municipality of Una, state of Bahia, Brazil by liquid and gas chromatography. There were significant differences for fatty acids, carotenoids and total tocochromanols between olein and stearin (p<0.05). The olein was richer in oleic acid (59% vs 57%), while stearin was higher in saturated fatty acids (31% vs 29%), alpha and beta-carotene (232 vs 213 mg/Kg, and 347 vs 299 mg/Kg, respectively), alpha-tocotrienol (136 vs 90 mg/Kg), and alpha-tocopherol (52 vs 32 mg/Kg). No difference was observed for gamma-tocotrienol (598 – 450 mg/kg) and delta-tocotrienol; nonetheless, the high content of the former in both fractions was notable. The ISH OxG oil fractions showed distinct patterns, indicating different applications.

Keywords

• carotenoids
• tocochromanols
• Elaeis oleifera × E. guineenses
• fatty acids