<b>tty profile and potential application of oil from the seeds of <i>Bombacopsis retusa</i> (Mart. & Zucc.) A. Robyns</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v35i3.14461

Abstract

In Brazil there is a semi-arid region of the Bahia State where the transition between caatinga and cerrado prevails. The Bombacopsis retusa (Mart. & Zucc.) A. Robyns belongs to Bombacaceae family, and is frequent in this region. Fruit of Bombacopsis retusa have seeds edible by native fauna and appreciated as appetizer nut in small local villages. With the purpose of verifying the potential application of the oil of this species in different industrial segments, the crude oil of Bombacopsis retusa seeds was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus with 55.5% yield. The physical and chemical analyses to determine the oleochemical indices showed acid value of 0.09 mg KOH^-1 g^-1, iodine value of 62.80 g I2^-1 100 g^-1, saponification index of 192.80 mg KOH^-1 g^-1, refractive index (40°C) of 1.468 and a melting point of 43.90°C. To determine the fatty profile of this oil was applied the CG-DIC that revealed the predominance of palmitic (59.98%), oleic (19.25%) and linoleic (8.47%) acids, besides the saturated/unsaturated fatty acids ratio equal to 2.70. These results suggested that the oil of Bombacopsis retusa is a functional, sustainable and competitive raw-material to be used in agro-energy, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.