Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of the oil extracted from passion fruit seeds (Passiflora edulis), an agroindustrial residue from juice industries, as a potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and bioactive substances. The oil presented low levels of free fatty acids and peroxides, as well a great amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids 58.4%, especially linoleic and linolenic acids, which indicates lower oxidation and good source of lipids. A relevant antioxidant activity as a result of a satisfactory content of bioactive substances, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, were determined in the passion fruit seed oil. The thermodegradation behavior of the oil suggested high thermal stability and the infrared spectroscopy exhibited high intensity bands between 1745 cm-1 to 1163 cm-1 correlated to the functional groups of fatty acids. Due to their bioactivity and presence of nutritious substances, the passion fruit seed oil may have beneficial properties to health and to extend the shelf-life foods products when present in dietary foods. Furthermore, the use of this by-product could reduce agroindustrial waste, expand and add value to the production chain when used as an industrial lipid matrix.
Highlights
The passion fruit, Passiflora edulis, has great economic importance in tropical regions, because of its nutritional properties and peculiar flavor/scent
The total lipid content, expressed as oil yield, obtained by solid-liquid extraction with petroleum ether using Soxhlet apparatus was 23%. This result is similar to the value (24%) found in the seed oil of passion fruit extracted by supercritical fluid by Barrales et al (2015)
It can be inferred that the PFSO presents low levels of free fatty acids and peroxides, which is an indication of lower lipid oxidation, and a good quality source of lipids
Summary
The passion fruit, Passiflora edulis, has great economic importance in tropical regions, because of its nutritional properties and peculiar flavor/scent. P. edulis is commonly cultivated in tropical climates, which purports fast and favorable economic returns As it is a source of pleasant flavor and aroma, it can be used in numerous products across different industries (Acham et al, 2018; Ramaiya et al, 2018; Santos et al, 2014). The demand for this fruit has increased in the last years due to its nutritional qualities, which includes a high content of vitamins, phenolic compounds and carotenoids. The passion fruit seeds could be processed as an alternative raw material to obtain a source rich in lipids and essential fatty acids, such as linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, reducing waste from passion fruit processing and generating a new product with prospective health benefits (Acham et al, 2018; Barrales et al, 2015; Claro et al, 2018; Chóez-Guaranda et al, 2017; Ramaiya et al, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
