Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernels are known to be rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which have applications in various fields such as cosmetology and the food industry. However, the extraction of these compounds has not been extensively studied. In this study, we aimed to extract oil from apricot kerne...
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/6/332 |
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| author | Ioannis Makrygiannis Vassilis Athanasiadis Theodoros Chatzimitakos Eleni Bozinou Christiana Mantzourani Arhontoula Chatzilazarou Dimitris P. Makris Stavros I. Lalas |
| author_facet | Ioannis Makrygiannis Vassilis Athanasiadis Theodoros Chatzimitakos Eleni Bozinou Christiana Mantzourani Arhontoula Chatzilazarou Dimitris P. Makris Stavros I. Lalas |
| author_sort | Ioannis Makrygiannis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Apricot kernels are known to be rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which have applications in various fields such as cosmetology and the food industry. However, the extraction of these compounds has not been extensively studied. In this study, we aimed to extract oil from apricot kernels and investigate its composition and antioxidant properties. Samples from two years of apricot cannery by-products were used in the study. We employed a common extraction procedure using hexane as a solvent, followed by an analysis of the oil’s fatty acid composition and determination of its antioxidant properties using several methods. Our results indicated that the oil extracted from apricot kernels is rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids, which exhibit health benefits. As regards the volatile compounds of the oil, 2-methyl propanal, benzaldehyde, and benzyl alcohol were detected as the main compounds. Benzaldehyde was also found to be the main component of the essential oil of the kernel. Furthermore, the oil exhibited low antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by its ability to scavenge free radicals. Overall, our findings suggest that apricot kernels are a valuable source of oil with potential applications in the food and cosmetic industries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:55:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0458bd0a11c2450d84535d188fefefdf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-8739 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:55:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Separations |
| spelling | doaj.art-0458bd0a11c2450d84535d188fefefdf2023-11-18T12:36:04ZengMDPI AGSeparations2297-87392023-05-0110633210.3390/separations10060332Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel OilIoannis Makrygiannis0Vassilis Athanasiadis1Theodoros Chatzimitakos2Eleni Bozinou3Christiana Mantzourani4Arhontoula Chatzilazarou5Dimitris P. Makris6Stavros I. Lalas7Department of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceDepartment of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceDepartment of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceDepartment of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceLaboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Wine, Vine & Beverage Sciences, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos Str., Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceDepartment of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Thessaly, Terma N. Temponera Str., 43100 Karditsa, GreeceApricot kernels are known to be rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which have applications in various fields such as cosmetology and the food industry. However, the extraction of these compounds has not been extensively studied. In this study, we aimed to extract oil from apricot kernels and investigate its composition and antioxidant properties. Samples from two years of apricot cannery by-products were used in the study. We employed a common extraction procedure using hexane as a solvent, followed by an analysis of the oil’s fatty acid composition and determination of its antioxidant properties using several methods. Our results indicated that the oil extracted from apricot kernels is rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids, which exhibit health benefits. As regards the volatile compounds of the oil, 2-methyl propanal, benzaldehyde, and benzyl alcohol were detected as the main compounds. Benzaldehyde was also found to be the main component of the essential oil of the kernel. Furthermore, the oil exhibited low antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by its ability to scavenge free radicals. Overall, our findings suggest that apricot kernels are a valuable source of oil with potential applications in the food and cosmetic industries.https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/6/332antioxidantsapricot kernel oilessential oilextractionfatty acidsGC-MS |
| spellingShingle | Ioannis Makrygiannis Vassilis Athanasiadis Theodoros Chatzimitakos Eleni Bozinou Christiana Mantzourani Arhontoula Chatzilazarou Dimitris P. Makris Stavros I. Lalas Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil Separations antioxidants apricot kernel oil essential oil extraction fatty acids GC-MS |
| title | Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil |
| title_full | Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil |
| title_short | Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil |
| title_sort | exploring the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of apricot kernel oil |
| topic | antioxidants apricot kernel oil essential oil extraction fatty acids GC-MS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/6/332 |
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