Sweet Almond Oil Research Articles

The effect of sweet almond oil vaginal suppository on the cervical ripening in nulliparous pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe failure of labor induction often occurs when the cervix is not ripe. To mitigate the side effects of chemical drugs, herbal medicines are now being considered for cervical ripening. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sweet almond oil vaginal suppositories on cervical ripening in nulliparous women. MethodsThis three-blinded clinical trial was conducted in 2023–2024 and involved 60 pregnant women who were referred to Shahid Hashmi-nejad Hospital in Mashhad. Women were randomly divided into two groups through a random sequence with a block size of 4, and then were given either a daily vaginal suppository of sweet almond oil or a placebo for up to one week from 40 weeks (0/7) of gestational age. The Bishop score was assessed before the intervention, 72 hours later, and four to seven days after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25, and the independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests were used. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe intervention group and placebo group had a mean Bishop score of 1.7 ± 1.4 and 0.6 ± 0.8 respectively. After 72 hours, the mean scores for the intervention and placebo groups were 4.0 ± 2.5 and 0.9 ± 1.6, respectively and four to seven days after the intervention, the mean scores for the sweet almond oil and placebo groups were 4.5 ± 2.1 and 1.2 ± 2.1 respectively. The Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a significant difference in the Bishop scores during these three follow-ups (P < 0.001). ConclusionBased on the positive impact of sweet almond oil vaginal suppositories on increasing the Bishop score, it is recommended to utilize this affordable, safe, and accessible method for cervical ripening in nulliparous women.

Comparative analysis of nutritional value and antioxidant activity in sweet and bitter almonds

In this study, four cultivars of almonds including bitter and sweet almonds from the northern regions of Morocco have been studied in terms of chemical composition, bioactive content, and antioxidant activity. Our research revealed that almonds are rich in minerals, and they displayed low levels of primary oxidation by-products and excellent stability. The fatty acid composition was dominated by oleic and linoleic acids, with slight variations between regions and almond cultivars. The analyses of unsaponifiable fraction revealed that the sterol component of almond oil was mainly composed by β-sitosterol and Δ-5-avenosterol (with regional differences), meanwhile α-tocopherol was the predominant among tocopherols. Furthermore, a significant presence of phenolic compounds was observed, particularly in Al Hoceima Beldi sweet almonds, with a gallic acid equivalent of 47.15 mg GAE/g in methanol extract and a total tocopherol content of 558.53 mg/kg. These results highlighted the strong antioxidant potential of Al Hoceima Beldi sweet almond oil, which showed good antioxidant activity for 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with an IC50 value of 63.47 μg/mL and a high concentration of samples for 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (19.48 mg TE/g extract). In conclusion, the research supports the cultivation and consumption of these sweet almond cultivars in recognition of their significant contribution to human well-being. Bitter almonds have medicinal benefits but are toxic and unsafe for consumption.

The effects of aromatherapy massage in menopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study

ObjectiveKnee Osteoarthritis (OA)’s prevalence increases during menopause. Aromatherapy massage with different oils is applied in the treatment of knee OA. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aromatherapy massage with Bergamot essential oil (BEO) on pain, functionality, sleep quality and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women with knee OA. Materials and methodsThis study included 60 menopausal participants diagnosed with grade II-III OA. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: BEO (n=20), placebo (n=20) and control (n=20). The participants in the BEO group, received aromatherapy massage with BEO, in the placebo group aromatherapy massage with sweet almond oil was applied twice a week for 4 weeks. All participants underwent conventional physiotherapy. Visual Analog Scale was used to assess the severity of pain, Osteoarthritis Index to assess functionality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quality and Menopausal Symptoms Rating Scale to assess menopausal symptoms. All measurements were performed before and after the study. ResultsThe results of the study showed that all three groups were effective on pain, functionality, sleep quality and menopausal symptoms (p<0.001). The results of the study showed that, aromatherapy massage with BEO was found to be more effective on functionality (p<0.001), pain (p<0.001) and menopausal symptoms (somatic and psychological symptoms) (p<0.001) compared to the control and placebo groups. It was determined that aromatherapy massage with BEO did not create a significant difference between the sleep quality scale scores in the control group and the placebo group (p=0.454). ConclusionThis study found that aromatherapy massage with BEO improved functionality, reduced pain and menopausal symptoms, and did not affect sleep quality. We consider that its application in addition to routine treatment may be useful to reduce symptoms.

Review on Almond as Pharmaceutical Aid Author name

An almond is also known as the "king of Nuts''. Almonds generally belong to the family of Rose called Rosacea. The Scientific name of Almond is Prunes dulcis. If you are looking for a versatile oil, you must try almond oil. It is made from two types of plum almonds: Sweet almonds, Bitter almonds. Its anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, and cardiovascular benefits help you better control the fats in your body. Sweet almond oil is the best for your skin type. Most of the health benefits associated with almond oil come from its high content of healthy fats. Almond sources include vitamin E oil (tocopherol), copper, and magnesium and high-quality protein. Almond oil is an edible essential oil that is rich in many nutrients and has positive effects on our health. High in vitamins D and E as well as minerals, almond oil helps reduce inflammation, shield the skin from UV radiation damage, and restore moisture to the skin. It also has significant levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and B. Rich in unsaturated fats, it penetrates deeply to leave your complexion feeling softer. Its 19% linoleic acid content hydrates cells more effectively, soothes skin, and protects against oxidative damage. Keywords Almond, Almond oil, Sweet almond oil, Bitter almond oil.

Comparing the impact of acupressure and reflexology on fatigue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients: A randomized controlled trial with three arms

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupressure and reflexology on fatigue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. MethodIn this randomized controlled trial with three arms and a pretest-posttest design, 102 CLL patients were randomly allocated to acupressure (n = 34), reflexology (n = 34), or control (n = 34) groups. Pre-intervention assessments were conducted using a demographic questionnaire and a fatigue scale for cancer patients. The acupressure group received routine care with acupressure targeting the SP6 point for 10 min twice daily over four weeks. The reflexology group received daily 10-minute reflexology sessions over four consecutive weeks following the preparation and lubrication of the soles of their feet with sweet almond oil. Post-intervention assessments were administered to all groups using the same instruments. ResultsResults showed both acupressure and reflexology significantly reduced fatigue compared to the control group (P < 0.001). While differences were noted between acupressure, reflexology, and control groups initially, the post-intervention analysis revealed no significant variance between acupressure and reflexology in reducing fatigue (P < 0.05), suggesting similar improvement between acupressure and reflexology. ConclusionsAcupressure and reflexology are recommended as cost-effective and low risk complementary approaches for managing fatigue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. These therapies offer promise in alleviating fatigue and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients.

Assessment of Sesame and Sweet Almond Oils Efficacy Against Food-Borne and Human Illness Microorganisms with Molecular Docking Study

Assessment of Sesame and Sweet Almond Oils Efficacy Against Food-Borne and Human Illness Microorganisms with Molecular Docking Study

Lignins interfacial behavior tailored by formulation parameters

Present work focuses on the understanding of lignins’ capacity to adsorb at the oil–water interface depending on both their concentration and particles size. To this purpose, the premise was that it should be possible to control lignins emulsifying capacities by modulation of both oil content and lignins content as well as particles size. In a first step, interfacial behavior of lignins dispersions was characterized through both interfacial tension and interfacial rheology. This allowed evidencing a strong ability to reduce oil–water interfacial tension, with an interfacial value going up to 1 mN/m. In addition, the occurrence of interfacial viscoelastic properties was established, with interfacial moduli values 1000 times higher than when no lignins were present in the dispersion, and with very different structuring kinetics depending on the characteristics of lignins. Then, corresponding emulsifying properties in the presence of sweet almond oil were investigated. High energy input for emulsification process allowed getting better lignins adsorption at the interface, explained by the decrease of lignins particles size, leading to a more homogeneous, and stable emulsion. Results showed that lignins have a strong emulsifying capacity as they could emulsify up to 60 % w/w of sweet almond oil and form stable concentrated O/W emulsions.

Quality parameters and lipid composition of oil extracted from spent coffee grounds: A promising alternative to vegetable oils used for consumption and cosmetic purposes

AbstractCoffee grounds are the most commonly generated daily waste in the world, raising numerous questions regarding their proper management and their environmental impact. The present study focuses on the physical and chemical characterization of oil extracted from spent coffee grounds (SCG), with the aim of valorizing this by‐product as a potential source for oil production. The results obtained from the analysis of SCG oil were also compared to those of some edible oils (soybean, corn, and sunflower oils) and cosmetic oils (lentisc, sweet almond, and castor oils). The results revealed that spent coffee waste yielded an important amount of oil, specifically 17.19%, as compared to corn (4.31%) and soybean (19.52%) seeds. Regarding the fatty acids composition of SCG oil, eight components were identified, with a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids accounting for more than 45% of total fatty acids. The phytosterols composition of SCG oil revealed the presence of seven components, with β‐sitosterol being the predominant one. The tocopherol analysis showed that SCG oil contained only α and β isomers, with β‐tocopherol being the dominant form at over 68%. These findings accentuate the potential of spent coffee waste as a promising alternative for oil production and open up new applications for SCG oil, such as in the food industry, pharmaceutical applications, and cosmetics.Practical Application: Given the significant increase in the demand for vegetable oils, the oil industry has recently begun to explore new plant matrices, particularly those having low costs. SCG are the most commonly generated daily by‐product in the world. The present investigation aims to characterize and valorize the oil extracted from SCG. The obtained results revealed the potential of SCG as a promising alternative for oil production. Consequently, valorizing spent coffee waste as a natural by‐product for oil production can be an ideal solution to address numerous issues related to its proper management and its environmental impact. Hence, the oil industry can promote spent coffee waste, cheapest by‐products, as a promising alternative for oil production. Moreover, the present investigation represents a commendable model of the circular economy since the remaining waste obtained after extracting lipids from the coffee grounds waste can be used as natural fertilizer rich in protein for plant development.

Comparing the Efficacy of Acupressure and Foot Reflexology on Sleep Quality in Patients With Leukemia: A Comparative Clinical Trial.

Among leukemia patients, sleep disruptions are prevalent and can profoundly affect their overall quality of life. Acupressure and foot reflexology, modalities rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have garnered attention for their potential to address sleep disturbances and mitigate associated symptoms. This research utilized a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design involving 102 leukemia patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia. Participants were randomly allocated to 3 groups: acupressure (n = 34), reflexology (n = 34), or control (n = 34). Prior to the intervention, patients completed a demographic survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for baseline assessments. Acupressure involved stimulation of the SP6 point twice daily for 10 minutes over 4 weeks, while reflexology entailed daily 10-minute sessions with sweet almond oil on the soles for the same duration. The control group received standard care without additional interventions. Following the 4-week intervention period, post-intervention evaluations were conducted using identical measurement tools. The findings underscored the efficacy of both acupressure and foot reflexology in significantly improving sleep quality within the intervention groups (P < .001). Initially, there were no notable differences in sleep quality among the 3 groups (P > .05). Subsequently, pairwise comparisons adjusted with Bonferroni corrections revealed significant disparities in sleep quality between the acupressure and reflexology groups compared to the control group (P < .001). However, post-intervention analysis indicated no statistically significant variance in enhancing sleep quality between the acupressure and foot reflexology groups (P < .05). This study demonstrates that acupressure and foot reflexology interventions can enhance sleep quality in individuals with leukemia. These findings support the effectiveness of these complementary modalities, offering targeted relief and relaxation. While these non-invasive therapies show promise in improving well-being, further research is needed to confirm and expand upon these results due to study limitations.

Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Trimethylolpropane Triesters from Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Methyl Esters

In this study, the acid-alkaline transesterification of refined coconut seed oil (RCOSO) to fatty acid methyl ester was followed by the production of a trimethylolpropane-based thermosensitive biolubricant using potassium hydroxide, and its physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. The American Standard Test for Materials (ASTM) was employed to ascertain the biolubricant's pour point and index of viscosity, which were found to be -4 oC and 283.75, respectively. The opposite connection between lubricant viscosity and temperature was shown by the measured viscosities at varied transesterification to be transformed into biodiesel. Following this, a biolubricant was created by further transesterifiedtemperature. The ester group is verified by comparing the Fourier Transfer Infra-red (FTIR) spectra of the biodiesel and the biolubricant between absorption bands (1755.07-1737.21 cm-1). Gas chromatographic data shows that sweet almond oil contains 71.725 % unsaturated fatty acids for use as a biolubricant, 53.478 % more unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids, and 9.52 g iodine per 100 g of oil sample more than unsaturated glycerides. At 31.44 and 45.93 %, respectively, linoleic acid made up the majority among the fatty acids in the oil and synthetic biolubricant. In addition, palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids were present in the biolubricant and coconut oil. The biolubricant's characterization results correlated highly with the ISO VG-32 standards, suggesting that it has the capacity to serve as light gear oil.

The effect of aromatherapy massage with lemon and peppermint essential oil on menopausal symptoms: A double-blinded, randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

ObjectivesMenopausal and postmenopausal women experience many physical and psychological symptoms. The positive effects of aromatherapy sessions with different oils on menopausal symptoms are well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an aromatherapy massage with peppermint and lemon essential oil on menopausal symptoms. MethodsTotal 63 menopausal and postmenopausal women were included in this study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Menta peppermint (n = 21), Citrus lemon (n = 21), and Placebo (n = 21). The peppermint and lemon essential oils of the intervention groups were diluted with 1.5 % sweet almond oil. Pure sweet almond oil was used in the placebo group. Each participant in the massage groups received a hand and arm massage with the selected oil twice a week for 4 weeks in 30-min sessions. Participants’ menopausal symptoms were assessed before and after application using the Menopause Symptoms Rating Scale (MRS). ResultsWhen the differences in the treatment groups according to time were examined, it was found that there were statistically significant differences in lemon (F = 9.561, p = 0.003, η2 = 0.139) and peppermint essential oil (F = 15.687, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.210) groups according to time. The peppermint essential oil group was more effective than the lemon group. In addition, both peppermint and lemon essential oils were effective for somatic symptoms (p < 0.05). For psychological symptoms, only the lemon oil (p = 0.011) proved effective, and for urogenital symptoms, only the peppermint essential oil (p = 0.001). ConclusionThe study found that aromatherapy massage with peppermint and lemon essential oil effectively reduced menopausal symptoms. Peppermint essential oil was more effective than lemon essential oil in reducing the menopausal symptoms. The Clinical trial registration numberNCT05677698.

Effect of dietary sweet almond oil on performance, carcass parameters, blood values and meat quality of Japanese quails.

In this study, the effects of two different levels of sweet almond supplementation (2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg) to Japanese quails’ diets (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) on performance, carcass group, blood values and meat quality were examined. For this purpose, 72 one-day-old Japanese quails were randomly distributed under control and two different experimental groups for 35 days experiment, and their body weight and feed consumption were evaluated. At the end of the study, a total of 8 animals from each group were selected and slaughtered. Hot carcass yield, relative weights of liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, proventriculus and bursa of Fabricius to body weight were determined in slaughtered animals. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and lipase levels in blood serum samples and water holding capacity, pH, malondialdehyde, L, a*, and b* values in breast meat samples were investigated. As a result of the study, it was determined that the addition of sweet almond oil had a positive effect on performance, decreased lipase level in blood serum, and 2,500 mg/kg sweet almond oil supplementation reduced the ratio of proventriculus to body weight. To sum up, it was found that the addition of sweet almond oil to Japanese quail rations had a positive effect on performance and feed consumption; it also appears to reduce blood serum lipase value and proventriculus weight.

Trimethylolpropane based biolubricant synthesis from sweet almond (Prunusamygdalus dulcis) seed oil for use in automotive applications.

This paper presents a synthesis of a sweet almond oil-based trimethylolpropane biolubricant and the evaluation of its temperature-dependent viscosity properties. The oil was converted into biodiesel by the transesterification process after extraction, refining, and acid-alkaline transesterification. After that, biolubricant was produced by further transesterifying biodiesel with trimethylolpropane at 105 oC at a ratio of 3.9:1 for a 60-minute reaction time with a potassium hydroxide catalyst concentration of 1 wt. %. According to the American Standard Test Methods (ASTM), the biolubricant's pour point and index of viscosity were determined to be 267.50 and -4 oC, respectively. The measured viscosities were 42.80, 30.18, 21.39, 12.25, and 8.90 cSt. cSt at 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 °C, demonstrating an inverse relationship between temperature and lubricant viscosity. The difference between the FTIR spectra of the biodiesel and the biolubricant—1755.74 cm-1 versus 1743.96 cm-1—verifies the ester group. Sweet almond oil has a higher iodine content than unsaturated glycerides (9.52 g of iodine per 100 g of oil sample) and includes 53.478 % more unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids, and 71.725 % unsaturated fatty acids for biolubricant according to gas chromatographic data. Linoleic acid made up the majority of the fatty acids in the oil and synthetic biolubricant, with percentages of 31.44 and 45.93 %, respectively. Sweet almond biolubricant and oil contained palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids. The biolubricant has the potential to function as light gear oil for automobiles because its characterization results correlate favorably with the ISO VG-32 criteria

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of polyvinyl alcohol orally disintegrating films containing sweet almond oil nanoemulsion

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of polyvinyl alcohol orally disintegrating films containing sweet almond oil nanoemulsion

The Effects of Self-Aromatherapy Massage on Pain and Sleep Quality in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and can lead to pain, joint deformity, and disability, resulting in poor sleep quality and lower quality of life. The efficacy of aromatherapy massage on pain levels and sleep quality among rheumatoid arthritis patients remains unclear. AimsTo investigate the effects of aromatherapy on pain and sleep quality among rheumatoid arthritis patients. MethodsThis randomized controlled trial enrolled 102 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from one regional hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 32), placebo (n = 36), or control groups (n = 34). The intervention and placebo groups underwent self-aromatherapy hand massage guided by a self-aromatherapy hand massage manual and video for 10 minutes 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The intervention group used 5% compound essential oils, the placebo group used sweet almond oil, and the control group had no intervention. Pain, sleep quality and sleepiness were measured by using the numerical rating scale for pain, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the intervention. ResultsThe intervention and placebo groups had significantly decreased sleep quality and sleepiness scores from baseline to 3 weeks after aromatherapy massage. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in the sleep quality scores in the first weeks after aromatherapy massage (B = -1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.35, -0.02, P =.046), but no statistically significant differences were found in the changes in pain levels from baseline to the three time points. ConclusionsAromatherapy massage is effective in improving sleep quality in rheumatoid arthritis patients. More studies are needed to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy hand massage on the pain levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Effect of premixed hydrogen on the performance and emission of a diesel engine fuelled with prunus amygdalus dulcis oil

There is a need to find alternative fuels to replace the fossil fuels and also to reduce the harmful emissions. Biomass based fuels are one such alternate fuel to diesel. The main aim of this study is to find the suitability of sweet almond oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil) in compression ignition engine (CI), moreover to enchance the performance and emission parameters by premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion with hydrogen fuel. A decrease in diesel engine performance was observed with the blend. Further to reduce the fossil fuel consumption, hydrogen was introduced in the intake manifold. As hydrogen is inducted well before the combustion, it makes premixed charge with intake air for better combustion. The results reveal that 30LPM (litres per minute) hydrogen flow rate lead to maximum improvement in engine performance. Compared to the blend, the thermal efficiency increased by 8.38 % at full load, and a reduction of 70 %, 56 % and 27 %, for HC, CO and smoke emissions respectively was observed. However, an increase of 14 % in NO emission was observed. Hydrogen addition along with SAO20 (20 % blending of sweet almond oil biodiesel in diesel) operation increases the in-cylinder peak pressure from 79.8 bar to a maximum of 89.5 bar at full load. Hydrogen increases the rate of heat released in the premixed combustion but the peak heat release rate is delayed with different hydrogen flow rates due to lower centane number of the combustible mixture. The novelty of this paper is to run the engine with unexplored low carbon biofuel prunus amygdalus dulcis oil in diesel engine and also to improve the performance by premixed hydrogen fuel.

A novel carbohydrate antigen 125 electrochemical sensor based on sweet almond oil organo-hydrogels

Ovarian cancer is a gynecological disease causing many deaths among women around the world. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) is a single biomarker known to be a tumor marker of ovarian cancer. CA-125 is widely used to monitor the treatment process, recurrences, and for the detection of ovarian cancer. Herein, organo-hydrogels were prepared in order to detect CA-125 sensitively in serum medium with electrochemical methods. Organo-hydrogels were obtained by the free radical polymerization reaction using agar and glycerol with varying proportions of sweet almond oil using methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) or glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinkers. Electrochemical measurements were performed with cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on organo-hydrogel sweet almond oil (OHSAO) prepared in the presence and absence of CA-125. As a result of these measurements, two distinct linear ranges of 1–50 ng/mL and 100–1000 ng/mL were obtained. In addition, LOD and LOQ values for the sensor were calculated as 0.41 μU/mL and 1.24 μU/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the OHSAO-based electrochemical sensor is a promising electrode for CA-125 detection.

Physicochemical study of aqueous dispersions of organogel particles: Role of the ingredients and formulation process leading to colloidal hydrogels

The cosmetics industry is always looking for new textures, both from a performance and sensory point of view. In this field, emulsions remain an important source of inspiration. In this study, aqueous dispersions of organogel particles were obtained by hot emulsification (T°>Tgel), and cooling (T°<Tgel). Two oils were tested, sweet almond oil and phytosqualane, using 12-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) as an organogelator, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA80) as a stabilizer. A preservative agent (Saliguard® COS) and an antioxidant (Tocopherol) were also used. Under the same preparation conditions, two completely different textures were obtained depending on the oil: a stable dispersion of organogel particles for sweet almond oil and a colloidal hydrogel for phytosqualane. In this study, we were able to understand the impact of the ingredients on these differences in texture, and propose different mechanisms of formation. The important role played by the preservative agent at the water/oil interface of the droplets, during the gelation step, was demonstrated. Such adsorption, depending on the polarity of the oil, can modify the anchoring of the dispersing agent (PVA80) and lead during the gelation to a destabilization of the droplets by coalescence and to the formation of a colloidal hydrogel. These results highlight the possible formation of colloidal hydrogels from particles of organogels and open the way to new textures in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field.

First report on quality and purity assessment of sweet almond oil in Brazilian body oils by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Sweet almond oil is a raw material with high-added value used in different products. Then, the aim of this study is to evaluate the quality and purity of 10 body oils based on sweet almond oils currently available in the Brazilian market. Fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol (TAG) profile were determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS), respectively. The authenticity of samples was assessed using an analytical curve equation. Soybean oil was chosen as the adulterant because it is the cheapest vegetable oil commercialized in Brazil. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) in conjunction with ASAP-MS classified product samples according to the type of vegetable oil (soybean and sweet almond oils). The addition of soybean oil (8.79% to 99.70%) was confirmed in samples. However, only two samples stated in their label the presence of soybean oil as an ingredient. These findings highlight the need for better oversight by regulatory bodies to ensure that consumers acquire high quality and authentic products based on equally high quality and purity of sweet almond oils.

THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF SKIN PROTECTION AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Aim: Ultraviolet radiation is the main threat to the skin. Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation can lead to various conditions, but most of all, it causes accelerated photoaging of the skin. The most common method of protection against ultraviolet radiation is use of cosmetic products with the sunscreen. Assess suitability of natural resources for protection from the ultraviolet radiation. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Passage Cosmetics Laboratory S.A. in Gałkówek Duży. The test method was the measure the absorption of different natural resources, including cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil and macadamia oil. Measurements were made using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer, in accordance with ISO 24443: 2012 method. Results: The following results were obtained for the tested raw materials: SPF 12 for cocoa butter and for shea butter, SPF 7 for coconut oil, SPF 6 for olive oil and sunflower oil, and SPF 5 for sweet almond oil and for macadamia oil. Conclusions: All tested oils and vegetable butters have a low SPF factor and constitute to a sunscreen with a low degree of protection. The in vitro measurements of shea butter, as well as cocoa butter showed a higher level of absorption. Natural raw materials have sunscreen properties, but the level of protection is not to be a safe sunscreen.