Abstract
The objective of the present work was to characterize sterculia seed kernel oil. The chemical composition of the seeds, physicochemical properties as well as the fatty acid composition of the kernel oil was determined. The chemical composition of kernel flour presented about 25.8% lipid content. The physicochemical parameters such as acid, iodine, peroxide and saponification values were 0.82 (% as oleic acid), 69.2 (g iodine/100 g oil), 4.20 (m eq./kg) and 136.1 (mg. KOH/g oil), respectively. With respect to fatty acid composition, the oil contained 36.2, 43.7 and 10.9% saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Palmitic acid (31.9%), oleic acid (41.7%) and linoleic acid (10.73%) were the principal saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Two cyclopropanoid fatty acids i.e. sterculic and malvalic acid were identified at a concentration of 5.3 and 2.3%, respectively. With regards to the thermal stability of the oil, a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has shown that the oil was stable until about 284 °C, above that the oil started loosing mass, while a differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA) revealed three stages of degradation with an increase in temperature. These stages corresponded to the degradation of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty aids. The Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) analysis showed the existence of two exothermic events of energy transition, one of which is related to the oxidation reactions and another to the decomposition of the oil. Exothermic transitions in the oil were initiated at a temperature (Ti) of 287.79 °C, and terminated at 347.81 °C, with an enthalpy variation of 11.69 joules.g –1 and at initial temperature (Ti) of 384.87 °C, peak temperature (Tp) 415.71 °C, final temperature (Tf) 448.9 °C and an enthalpy of 200.83 Joules. G –1
Highlights
The Brazilian fauna is rich in a variety of exotic and native plants with a high potential for exploration either due to the genetic pattern of the specie or the diversification of its culture or due to the fruits (Carvalho, 1996). Braga (1976) emphasized the importance of some of these fruits such as cashew nuts, brazil nuts etc. and suggested that if explored rationally, they would constitute an excellent option as a food source
A proximate analysis is of utmost importance to provide information on the basic constituents of a particular raw material
These results show that dried kernel powder is a good source of lipid (25.8%) and proteins (17.9%) similar to other oleaginous seed kernels that are rich in these constituents
Summary
The Brazilian fauna is rich in a variety of exotic and native plants with a high potential for exploration either due to the genetic pattern of the specie or the diversification of its culture or due to the fruits (Carvalho, 1996). Braga (1976) emphasized the importance of some of these fruits such as cashew nuts, brazil nuts etc. and suggested that if explored rationally, they would constitute an excellent option as a food source. Suggested that if explored rationally, they would constitute an excellent option as a food source Among these species the seed kernels of sterculia striata St. Hill locally known as “chicha”, possess an elevated nutritional potential. The Chichazeiro belong to the family of sterculiaceas to which cocoa (Teobromo cacao L.), and cupuaço (Theobromo grandiflorum L.) belong This family is composed of a vast number of the specie of the genre sterculia which includes, among others, the Sterculia apétala, Sterculia foetida, Sterculia speciosa, and Sterculia striata (Lorenzi, 1992). The chichá has its origin in India and Malaysia where the seeds are consumed in dried and roasted form as well as for the extraction of oil. This specie is very common in the Northeast of Brazil. The seeds contain about 60% kernels that contain lipids at concentrations varying approximately from 28 to 32% (Araújo, 1997; Oliveira et al, 2000)
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