Characterization of mesocarp flour and almonds oil from babassu (Orbignya phalerata, Mart.) as obtained via supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extractions: preclinical and toxicological studies

Author(s)

Naila Albertina de Oliveira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT)
• Defense date: 2018-08-30

Examining board members

Heidge Fukumasu; Talita Aline Comunian; Silvana Lima Gorniak; Claudia Madalena Cabrera Mori; Rogerio Lacaz Ruiz

• Advisor: Alessandra Lopes de Oliveira; Heidge Fukumasu

Abstract

While babassu almonds are known for providing oil rich in zinc, phosphorus and potassium, its mesocarp has anti-inflammatory properties yet underexplored. The present study aimed at determining physical-chemical composition and in vivo toxicity potential of babassu almonds oil and its mesocarp flour (both extracted with supercritical CO2) as well as anti-inflammatory activity of babassu mesocarp (extracted with pressurized ethanol). Extracts were obtained using innovative extraction techniques that avoid the degradation of thermosensitive compounds and results here obtained point to the composition of extracts obtained via green technology and their characterization. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a promising clean technology (as organic solvents are not employed) to obtain extracts enriched in compounds with biological activity (e.g. phytosterols). In its turn, pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) is considered fast, efficient and selective, this work being the first to isolate flavonoids from ethanolic extract of babassu mesocarp extracted via PLE. Results indicated that highest extract yields of babassu oil were 55.34 g/100 g with isopropyl alcohol as pressurized solvent and 53.12 g/100 g with ethanol as solvent. Aforesaid extracts respectively represent 92.4% and 88.7% of total oil in seeds. Rich in lauric, myristic, oleic and palmitic acids, the fatty acid profile was the same for the two solvents and applied operating conditions. Using isopropyl alcohol, extract had the highest β-sitosterol concentration for 3 min contact time with solvent (St) and 66% of volume of solvent, ≅ 22.44 mL (SV). Using ethyl alcohol as solvent, highest β-sitosterol concentration occurred for St = 3 min and SV = 94% ≅ 31.96 mL. According fatty acids composition, main TAGs present in oil were COL, LOL, LOM, LOP and MOP. In SFE, highest yields of babassu oil ranged from 51.94 to 57.71 g/100 g (at 25 MPa) and from 53.65 to 59.93 g/100 g (at 35 MPa) at temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C. The highest concentration of β-sitosterol (namely, 27.43 mg/100g-oil) was obtained for extraction at 70 °C and 25 MPa. Babassu mesocarp extracts were also obtained via PLE with pressurized ethanol. The highest yield (2.95%) and the highest total phenolic concentration (1,257.25 mgGAE/100g) of babassu mesocarp extract were obtained at 86 °C and 3 min (St). The highest antimicrobial activity in Staphylococcus aureus inhibition occurred for lower contact time (St) values and higher temperatures (in aforesaid values), which were conditions also providing the best extraction yields and antioxidant activity. Toxicity study was carried out for babassu almond oil obtained via SFE. At the acute dose of 2,000 mg/kg and in subacute dose study at 1, 3 and 5 mg/kg of oil (repeated doses), results indicated that this oil did not present lethality in animals. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using babassu mesocarp extracted with pressurized ethanol at 86 °C and 3 min (St). Such activity was confirmed at 30 mg/kg dose administered in rats with induced inflammatory process with carrageenan at 3%. While low toxicity of oil and anti-inflammatory activity of mesocarp extract were both observed, further evaluation studies are required for applications of almond oil and babassu mesocarp extracts in pharmaceutical, food and/or cosmetic products. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/04729-0 - Characterization of mesocarp flour and oil from almonds of babacu (Orbignya phalerata, Mart.) obtained via extraction with supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid - pre-clinical and toxicological studies
• Grantee: Naila Albertina de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate