Exploring the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Apricot Kernel Oil

Abstract

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.

Evaluation of synergistic/antagonistic antibacterial activities of fatty oils from apricot, date, grape, and black seeds

“…ASO showed different percentages, where oleic acid was the major FA (27%), followed by linoleic acid (16%), linolenic acid (8%), palmitic acid (4%), and stearic acid (4%). ASO showed similar results in a previous study 12 . FA profile of oil mixtures was also rich in unsaturated FA with linoleic acid dominating in all samples.…”

“…Apricots are widely consumed and used in food manufacturing like juices and jams, which in turn produce large masses of seeds that need further exploitation 11 . Apricot seeds contain oil content up to 50% for each seed, making it possible to produce tons of ASO each year 12 . ASO is an edible oil and serves as a functional ingredient in different industries including the food sector 3 .…”

Utilization of Blackthorn Plums (Prunus spinosa) and Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Kernel Oil: Assessment of Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Oxidative Stability

“…As previously mentioned, apricot is a fruit that also belongs to the genus Prunus [57]. In a previous study, the amount of polyphenols in Prunus armeniaca (i.e., apricot) oil was analyzed over two consecutive years, and it was found to contain polyphenols ranging between 7.94 mg/Kg and 8.18 mg/Kg [58]. A quantity that coincides more closely with the quantity detected in PAKO.…”

Unveiling the Potential of Apricot Residues: From Nutraceuticals to Bioenergy

“…In addition, the same research team [37] attempted to extract oil from AKs ('Bebeco' cultivar) and analyze their composition and antioxidant properties. The study utilized samples derived from the by-products of an apricot cannery over a span of two years.…”