Fatty acid composition and content of native palm fruits oil

Author(s)

Janaina Morimoto Meyer

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2013-05-02

Examining board members

Antonio Salatino; Marcos Silveira Buckeridge; Marco Aurélio Sivero Mayworm

• Advisor: Antonio Salatino

Abstract

The world has been confronted with fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The search for new energy sources to replace petroleum derivatives resulted in alternative fuel known as biodiesel, which has interesting properties when compared to diesel. Palm seeds have potential as biodiesel sources, especially considering the high percentage of oil in its fruits and high yield per hectare. However, few representatives of this family were studied. More research of bioprospection is needed in order to expand the use of palm trees. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the fruit (pericarp and seeds analyzed separately) of five species of Arecaceae: Oenocarpus bacaba, O. bataua, Socratea exorrhiza, from the North and Astrocaryum aculeatissimum and Euterpe edulis in Southeastern of Brazil, as sources of oil for biodiesel production. After extraction of oils and derivatization of triglycerides, fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by GC-FID and GC / MS for identification. The defatted bran were evaluated for their use in animal feed. The contents of starch, soluble sugars and soluble proteins were determined. Hierarchical analyzes were conducted to find cohesive intraspecific groups. The results obtained with the analyses of the oils are very promising, regarding the use of four among the five species for biodiesel production. However, apparently, brans are not indicated exclusively for use in animal feed, due to low concentrations of the nutrients analyzed, but they may be used for feed enrichment. Regarding hierarchical analyzes, only samples of A. aculeatissimum showed cohesive groups (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/02869-6 - Fatty acid percentage and composition of native palms seed oils.
• Grantee: Janaina Morimoto Meyer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master