Comparison of solvents for extraction of Pachira macrocarpa (Cham. et Schlecht.) Walp seed oils

Abstract

This study compared the lipid yield, chemical composition, thermal and rheological behavior of Pachira macrocarpa seed oil (PSO) extracted with five different solvents (petroleum ether, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, isopropanol and Folch solution (methanol/chloroform, v/v = 1: 2)). The results showed that the lipid yield of PSO extracted with ethyl acetate was the highest (29.25%). The main fatty acids of PSOs extracted by different solvents were palmitic acid (48.82–49.24%), linoleic acid (31.23–31.62%) and oleic acid (13.88–14.26%). Ethyl acetate was the most suitable solvent for extracting phytosterols (1756.43 mg/kg), n-hexane was the best solvent for enriching squalene (906.50 mg/kg), and isopropanol extraction was the most suitable for enriching tocopherols (436.90 mg/kg). Folch solution extraction can efficiently extract polyphenols and its oil had the best oxidative stability in all samples. Furthermore, PSOs showed high thermal stability and exhibited Newtonian flow behavior. Overall, this study provides guidance for the industrial production of PSO, and Folch solution extraction was the most suitable method for the development of PSO for the potential healthcare application.