Abstract
This study concerns the characterization of oil content and quality indices for almond cultivars (Marcona (Mr), Fournat (Fn), Ferragnes (Fg), and Ferraduel (Fd)) recently introduced into marginal agricultural areas in eastern Morocco. These verities are known for their rusticity and late flowering stage. The analyzed almond oils showed low acidity and peroxide values ranging, respectively, from 0.32 to 0.36% and 1.88 to 3.18 meq O2/kg. Fatty acid (FA) profile revealed a predominance of the unsaturated FA represented essentially by the oleic (56.64–64.03%) and linoleic FA (24.57–29.80%). Triacylglycerol (TAG) analysis allowed the determination of eleven species with a remarkable dominance of trioleylglycerol (OOO: 30%) and dioleyllinoleoylglcerol (OOL: 27.25%). Regarding the minor compounds, the results showed that the total phenol content ranges between 85.33 and 141.66 mg/kg. Concerning the tocopherol content, the studied oils showed richness in these secondary metabolites (408.99–491.77 mg/kg) with a dominance of α-tocopherol. In comparison to their homologues in the Mediterranean area, the evaluated almond oils demonstrated a slight superiority in terms of quality, in particular, to those produced in Spain.
Highlights
Almond trees (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) are native species to Western Asia, in particular, Iran and the surrounding countries
Four main varieties grown in the studied region were analyzed, Ferragnes (Fg), Ferraduel (Fd), Fournat de Breznaud (Fn), and Marcona (Mr). e cultivation of almond trees is essentially rain-fed, along with additional irrigation provided to almond trees during April and June. is zone is characterized by an average annual precipitation ranging between 100 mm and 300 mm, with annual temperatures varying from a minimum of −2°C to a maximum of 43°C
Oxidative stability index of almond oils was determined by the Rancimat method measured with a Metrohm model 743.3 ± 0.01 g of oils warmed at 100 ± 1.6 C° and an air flow of 20 L/h. e oxidative stability index of oils was expressed by the induction period
Summary
Almond trees (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) are native species to Western Asia, in particular, Iran and the surrounding countries. E USA is the world’s largest producer of almonds, with an estimated average production of 1,872,500 tons in 2019, followed by Spain (339,033 tons) and Iran (139, 029 tons). Morocco is the fourth largest producer of almond nuts with an average production of 116,900 tons in 2018 [2]. Ese positive effects of almond kernels are related to its composition which is rich in different sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds [5]. They represent a high amount of protein ranging from 20% to 25%, with the PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) value for raw almonds ranging between 44.3 and 47.8% [6]. They represent a high amount of protein ranging from 20% to 25%, with the PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) value for raw almonds ranging between 44.3 and 47.8% [6]. e oil presents the major component in the kernel ranging from 40% to 67% [7]. e applications of this oil vary from the food and cosmetic sector to the complementary medicine, thanks to several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxicity, immunity-
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