Comparative Analysis of the Physicochemical Characteristics, Phytochemical Components and Fatty Acid Profile of Avocado Pear (Persea Americana L) Pulp and Seed Oil

Abstract

The physiochemical properties, phytochemical content, and fatty acid profile of Avocado pear (Persea americana) pulp and seeds oils were investigated. The pulp oil was extracted using the hot water flotation method while the seed oil was extracted by the soxhlet extraction method. Extracted oils were analyzed. The pulp oil was emerald green while the seed oil was brownish red in colour. Pulp oil has significantly higher blue (27B) on Lovibond scale. The oil yield, smoke point and flash point of the pulp oil were 28.26%, 171.00 °C and 201.67 °C respectively. Which were higher than 13.64%, 100.00 and 130.66 °C seen in the seed oil. Iodine value, FFA, peroxide value and saponification value of the pulp oil were respectively 50.70 g/100 g, 0.53%, 1.10 mEq/kg and 218.66 mgKOH/g while those of the seed oil were 40.68 g/100 g, 2.85%, 2.16 mEq/kg and 198.31 mgKOH/g respectively. Saponins, alkaloid, phenol, tannin, and oxalate content of the seed oil were significantly higher than those of the pulp oil, with respective values of 12.23, 1.06, 5.06, 3.05 and 10.07 mg/100 g. Flavonoid was however higher in the pulp oil, at 6.20 mg/100 g. avocado pulp oil contained 43.23% oleic acid, 19.78% linoleic acid. It contains only 35.31% total saturated fatty acids. The seed oil was shown to contain 55% palmitic acid, as the predominant saturated fatty acid and contained a total of 69% saturated fatty acids. It is recommended that avocado seed oil be refined before use for culinary purposes.