Avocado seeds (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.): Lipophilic compounds profile and biological activities.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the volatile or lipophilic chemical profiling and the biological activities of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts. Chemical profile of volatile compounds (GC/MS), antioxidant properties (phenolic compounds, DPPH radical scavenging activities and reducing power), and antimicrobial activity (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus) of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts (ethanol and acetone) were characterized. Sixteen volatile chemical compounds were determined, including isoprenoid derivatives (estragole), esters of fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), and their derivatives (9,12-Octadecadien-1-ol and 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-1-ol). Acetone was the best solvent to obtain volatile compounds from avocado seed; this extract also showed a higher reducing power (56.35 mg AAE/100 g). Maximum S. aureus and S. Typhimurium log reductions were 4.0 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.3 at the highest amount used (2000 mg/L), without significant effect (p < 0.05) of the solvent used. According to the results of the volatile chemical profiling of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts, they can have potential application as antioxidant (212.75 and 183.75 mg Trolox/100 g) and antimicrobial additives.