Fatty Acid Profiles of Oil Obtained from Corn Kernels (Zea Mays L.) Preserved by a Triple Bagging System and Aromatic Plants (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens)

Abstract

Corn oil is considered one of the best edible vegetable oils. Unfortunately, the storage of corn kernels as practiced in rural areas affects the quality of the fat. However, the triple bagging system and aromatic plants remain alternatives to the poor storage practiced by certain players in the ivorian maize sector. However, their influence on the quality of the fat in the grains remains to be elucidated. This study aims to evaluate, during storage, the fatty acid (FA) profile of the oil obtained from corn kernels packaged in a triple bagging system with or without the leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens. Thus, 6 batches including one control in polypropylene bag, one batch in triple bagging without biopesticides and four batches in triple bagging with variable proportions and/or combination of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens (2.5 % and 5 % and a combination 0 to 100 % Lippia) were made up to follow the evolution of the fatty acid (FA) composition of the extracted oils during six observation periods (0 ; 1 ; 4.5 ; 9.5 ; 14.5 and 18 months). The estimated intake and fatty acid contribution were also evaluated after 18 months of storage. The storage time and the type of packaging have a significant influence on the fatty acid profile of oils. During grain storage, the FA profile of the oils obtained from the grains stored in the triple bagging with the biopesticides varied very little. At the end of storage, their average composition was 13.40 % saturated fatty acids (SFA), 31.76 % monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 50.45 % polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). On the other hand, at the end of grain storage, the grain oil from the triple bagged batch without biopesticides consists of 16 % SFA, 38.85 % MUFA, and 45.70 % PUFA. The contribution to meeting energy needs is ensured from the consumption of oil from grains stored for 18 months in triple bagging systems associated with biopesticides. Therefore the combination of these aromatic leaves with triple bagging is more advantageous to preserve the FA profile of the grains during storage.