Algerian Moringa oleifera whole seeds and kernels oils: Characterization, oxidative stability, and antioxidant capacity

Abstract

The rising of global per capita food consumption has driven scientists and manufacturers into a search for new or renewed edible oil sources, while also improving their production towards maximum yield, quality, and economic feasibility. Hence, a new origin (Algerian) of Moringa oleifera seed oil was characterized in the present study in terms of its physical and chemical features on two consecutive crops. Moreover, aiming to ascertain if the industrial solvent extraction could be enhanced, extracted oils from shelled and unshelled seeds were compared. All oils under study presented a low oxidation status and an excellent resistance to oxidation. Additionally to the characteristic high average content of unsaturated fatty acids (71% oleic acid), microcomponent analyses revealed interesting amounts of phytosterols (4–5 g/kg), tocopherols (287–327 mg/kg), carotenoids (4–8 mg/kg), and phenolic compounds (11–17 mg/kg). These outcomes were within or better (stability and oxidative status) than reported data for M. oleifera seed oil from other origins, and without significant differences between crops. Apart from a slight color change and increased sterol and wax contents when extracted with shells, no other significant compositional changes were observed, including oil extraction yield, both equivalent to 37% on a kernel basis. This work sustains the high quality of Algerian M. oleifera seed oil, a still underutilized crop in this country. Also, it provides an insight on the potential use of grinded whole seeds directly for solvent extraction, reducing labor demand and cost for the industries, without significant variation on compositional and stability parameters.Practical applications: Regarding the growing demand on edible oils, and considering Algeria as a country with a large range of climatic conditions, M. oleifera cultivation for edible oil extraction could be of economic interests to the region. Based on the findings of this work, the oil extracted from M. oleifera grown in Algeria presents significantly high quality, stability, and consistency between crops. From a technological point of view, we also propose that solvent extraction can be performed directly on the powder of whole M. oleifera seeds, avoiding the shelling step, with proportional oil yield and equivalents quality, of major importance for the industry.Algerian Moringa oil presents high quality, stability, and consistency between crops. The presence of shells does not effect oil quality and yield, of major importance for the industry.