Chapter 21 - Biological activities of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) pulp oil

Abstract

Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) belonging to the family Caryocaraceae is a typical Brazilian Cerrado fruit. The economic exploitation of the fruit is considered a practice of sustainable extractive and vast important socioeconomic. In several regions from Brazil, the pequi has great acceptability, the high potential for contribution to nutrition, and due to the presence of different compounds important to health, has caused the interest of many researchers. The part more consumed and commercialized of the fruit is the pulp, which can be obtained through the fruit, processed, or used for oil extraction. Pequi pulp oil is widely utilized due to the content of natural antioxidants such as different carotenoids, vitamins, and phenolic compounds. Also, the pequi pulp oil has different fatty acids in its composition, for example, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. The obtaining of the pequi pulp oil is realized principally by local communities through an intense boil of “pequi” fruits without the peel, requiring about a thousand units to produce 1L. Pequi pulp oil is utilized in the food industry due to its chemical properties and characteristic aroma. However, popular usage, due to the teachings of the ancient peoples, presented that pequi oil has a traditional use for medicinal purposes, and currently studies report antiinflammatory, cardioprotective, and antigenotoxic effects. This way, it is necessary to expand the knowledge and the importance of the pequi for the distribution and development of new scientific interests in this natural product of enriching potential.