Aqueous enzymatic extraction of macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp oil: A green and sustainable approach for high-quality oil production

• Published in: Food research international Vol. 182; p. 114160
• Main Authors: Sorita, Guilherme Dallarmi, Favaro, Simone Palma, Rodrigues, Dasciana de Sousa, Silva Junior, Wellington Paula da, Leal, Wesley Gabriel de Oliveira, Ambrosi, Alan, Di Luccio, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Antioxidants - analysis; Circular economy; Enzymatic oil extraction; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - analysis; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - analysis; Green extraction; Plant Oils - chemistry; Seeds - chemistry; Unconventional oil; Water - analysis; Enzymatic oil extraction; Unconventional oil; Circular economy; Fatty acids; Green extraction
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114160

[Display omitted] •Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp has high potential for food-grade oil extraction.•Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) is a sustainable approach for oil production.•Macauba pulp oil (MPO) by AEE yields higher concentration of carotenoids.•MPOs by AEE are rich in unsaturated fatty acids with excellent nutritional quality. Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) of macauba pulp oil (MPO) was performed in this study with five commercial enzymatic pools. The chemical, nutritional, and thermal properties of the oils with high oil efficiency by AEE were evaluated and compared with mechanical pressing (MP) and organic solvent extraction (SE). Among the AEE processes, the pectinase pool (at pH 5.5 and 50 °C) exhibited the highest process efficiency (88.6 %). The oils presented low acidity values (0.4–3.1 %) and low molar absorptivities, indicating minimal oil degradation. Bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, were found in MPO. The iodine index and the fatty acid profile of the oils revealed a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids, with excellent nutritional scores, as evidenced by anti-atherogenicity and anti-thrombogenicity indices. These findings emphasized that AEE is an eco-friendly approach for extracting high-quality MPO with beneficial health compounds for food products.