Abstract
Central American red pitaya (Hylocereussp.) seeds were studied for their chemical and nutritional traits with particular reference to the fatty acid (FA) profile of the seed oil. Proximate seed composition averaged 352 g/kg, 302 g/kg, 296 g/kg, 206 g/kg, 126 g/kg, and 21 g/kg for total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, moisture, and ash, respectively. FA composition of pitaya seed oil determined by GC–MS and quantified by GC-FID was dominated by unsaturated FAs (753 g/kg). Interestingly, linoleic acid was found to be the only polyunsaturated and most abundant FA (466 g/kg), whereas palmitoleic (3 g/kg), oleic (239 g/kg), and cis-11-vaccenic acid (45 g/kg) were the major monounsaturated FAs. Palmitic (182 g/kg), stearic (49 g/kg), and arachidic acid (18g/kg) represented the saturated FA fraction. Iodine absorption value, saponification number and free fatty acid value amounted to 105.6 g I2/100 g, 235.7 mg KOH/g, and 1.9 mg KOH/g, respectively.
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