Comparative study on fatty acid and tocopherol composition in argan oils extracted from fruits of different forms

Abstract

Argan oil was extracted with a soxhlet apparatus from nuts of spindle-shaped, oval, or round fruits. A significant difference was found in extraction output; 11.55, 8.50 and 5.02 kg of oil/100 kg of kernels were recorded in oval, round and spindle—shaped fruits, respectively. The concentrations of oleic and linoleic acids in the three types of fruits were also significantly different. Indeed, the content of oleic acid was higher in oval fruits (46.73%) than in spindle—shaped (45.53%) and round (41.52%) fruits. A greater content of linoleic acid was found in round fruits (38.38%) than in oval fruits (33.54%). The differences in tocopherol composition were more obvious. The highest content (1568.60 mg/kg of oil) was found in spindle—shaped fruits, followed by round (1141.60 mg/kg) and oval (583.80 mg/kg). Significant differences between the three types of tocopherol contents were noted and were greater for gamma-tocopherol.