Grasas y Aceites (Jun 2004)

Physicochemical characteristics of oil from Piritu (Bactris piritu (H. Karst) H. Wendl) seed

  • Douglas R. Belén C.,
  • Isaac López,
  • Josmar Barranco,
  • David García,
  • Mario José Moreno-Alvarez,
  • Oscar Linares

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.2004.v55.i2.158
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55, no. 2
pp. 138 – 142

Abstract

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In this research several physicochemical properties of Píritu (Bactris piritu (H. Karst) H. Wendl) seed and its crude oil were evaluated. Seeds were transformed into flour by crushing and drying ( 60 ºC for 12 h) and its approximate composition was: moisture content 5.20 %; fat 39.40 %; protein 9.60 %; crude fiber 44.35 %; ash 1.45 %. The flour lipidic fraction was extracted with n-hexane. The following physicochemical characteristics of crude oil were determined: free acidity (0.13 % as oleic acid), iodine index (11.09 cg of I/g), peroxide value (0.30 meq O 2 /kg), refraction index (1.4445 at 60 ºC ), Wiley melting point ( 33.5 ºC ), saponification value (227.47 mg KOH/g), insaponifiable matter (1.00 %), AOM stability (37.88 h), solid fat content (81 % at 10 ºC or 68 % at 20 ºC ). Lauric acid is the main the fatty acid (56.84 %). Píritu seed is an alternative raw material to obtain oil with characteristics similar to coconut oil.

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