Effect of extraction type on the fatty acids profile and physicochemical properties of biolipids from Astrocaryum vulgare pulp: supercritical CO2 versus n‐hexane extractions

Abstract

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate the effects of two, conventional and green, extraction techniques on the nutritional, bioactive and physicochemical properties of oils from Astrocaryum vulgare pulp. It is an Amazonian oilseed named tucumã, known by their oily nature and bioactive properties. n‐Hexane (N‐HE) and supercritical CO2 (SFE‐CO2) were used as extraction solvents. Higher oil yield, 39.63%, was achieved using N‐HE then SFE‐CO2, 36.75%. The SFE‐CO2 oil presented low acidity and peroxide content, 0.9 mg KOHg−1 and 1.1 mEq kg−1, while the N‐HE presented 3.25 mg KOH g−1 and 2.4 mEq kg−1, respectively (P < 0.05). The SFE‐CO2 oil exhibited greater content of linoleic (~42.3%) and oleic acids (~32.6%) (P < 0.05) and higher β‐carotenes, up to 1100 μg 100 g−1, while the N‐HE oil had ~877 μg 100 g−1. SFE‐CO2 had positive effect on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of A. vulgare pulp oil, which was statistically confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA).Practical applicationsThe application of green techniques based on supercritical CO2 fluid extraction to obtain biolipids from A. vulgare pulp with greater nutritional quality contributes to its potential utilisation as a functional ingredient in foods.