Study of the Chemical Composition of Carica Papaya L. Seed Oils of Various Geographic Origin

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical compounds present in the Carica papaya L. seed oil of different geographic origin in comparative aspect. The oils were extracted from the seeds of Carica papaya L. fruits collected in Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Angola, Ghana, Brazil, as well as from seeds of fruit plants grown in close environment (Russian Federation, Saratov). The seeds yielded 18.3–27.0% of oil. Parameters such as oil yield, refractive index, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value and acid value of the extracted Carica papaya L. seed oils were determined. The qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of seed oils were determined by a combination of mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The profiles and the content of fatty acids, sterols, triterpenic alcohols and benzyl isothiocyanate were established. The saponifiable fraction of the oils is represented predominantly by triglycerides (98.7–99.4%), and di- (0.4–1.1%) and monoglycerides (0.1–0.3%) are also present in minor amounts. They contain mainly oleic (68.7–74.9%), palmitic (14.2–16.9%), stearic (4.8–5.9%) and linoleic (3.4–6.8%) acids. The content of sterols and triterpene alcohols was (537.5–918.2) mg/100 g of oil (0.54–0.92%), up to 75% of the fraction was represented by β-sitosterol (55.9–66.7%) and its saturated analogue – sitostanol (11.0-15.7%). The content of benzyl isothiocyanate in lipid complexes ranged from 0.03–0.06%. The chemical composition of seed oils of Carica papaya L. fruits, cultivated in different geographic regions, is very similar. Carica papaya L. is considered to be a promising source of valuable seed oil.