A composição de ácidos graxos de seis amostras de Orbignya phalerata de diferentes cidades do estado do Maranhão foi estudada. Os óleos foram extraídos utilizando extrator Soxhlet por duas metodologias e a composição de ácidos graxos foi avaliada por cromatografia gasosa-espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). O teor da fração de lipídios revelou que o solvente usado influencia na extração, sendo a maior porcentagem obtida com hexano. O teor de lipídios variou de 62,46-67,45%, com predominância de ácidos graxos saturados (80,32-87,80%), principalmente ácido láurico (C12:0) com percentual de 44,86-52,15%. A análise multivariada mostrou a distribuição das amostras de O. phalerata em três regiões distintas e sugere que a composição química dos óleos pode estar associada com a sua localização geográfica. Estes dados mostram o conhecimento da biodiversidade de ácidos graxos de O. phalerata entre as diferentes regiões do estado do Maranhão.The fatty acid composition of six Orbignya phalerata samples of different cities from Maranhão State (Brazil) was studied. The oils were extracted by two methods using Soxhlet extractor and the fatty acid composition was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The lipid fraction content showed that the solvent used influences lipid extraction, the highest percent was obtained with hexane. Lipid content ranged from 62.46-67.45%, with predominance of saturated fatty acids (80.32-87.80%), mainly lauric acid (C12:0) with 44.86 to 52.15%. Multivariate analysis showed the distribution of O. phalerata samples into three distinct regions and suggests that the oil chemical composition may be associated with their geographic location. These data show knowledge of the biodiversity of O. phalerata fatty acids among the different regions of the Maranhão State (Brazil). The babassu fruits are oval and elongated weighing 90-280 g. The fruit contains epicarp (11% in mass), mesocarp (23% in mass) and endocarp (59% in mass) with 3-4 nuts (7% in mass), which are rich in triacylglycerols (> 60% in mass), with predominance of lauric acid (C12:0) and minerals (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Sr and Zn). 2,3 The babassu nut is one of the non-timber products that stood out the most out in production value, concentrating the total of extractive production in the Brazilian Northeast (99.4%), making the Maranhão State the largest producer of babassu nuts, corresponding to 54.6% of national output in 2010. 4 According to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), 5 the economic potential of babassu fruits, especially its nuts, as well as its oil, is largely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and medicinal uses. Souza et al. 6 reported that in the traditional medicine of Northeast Brazil, babassu-derived products are mainly used in some diseases, such as inflammation process. Although, babassu oil presents several industrial applications, for example biodiesel production, 7 the chemical knowledge is necessary to ensure quality and better exploitation of biomass.
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