Abstract

MALACRIDA, Cassia Roberta  and  JORGE, Neuza. Yellow passion fruit seed oil (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa): physical and chemical characteristics. Braz. arch. biol. technol. [online]. 2012, vol.55, n.1, pp. 127-134. ISSN 1516-8913.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132012000100016.

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition -physico-chemical properties, fatty acid and tocopherol compositions and total phenolic compounds -and evaluate the radical-scavenging activity of crude oil extracted from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) seeds, aiming to use the agro-industrial by-products. The oil seed extraction was performed by Soxhlet method and the oil yield from the seeds was 30.39%. The oil showed high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (87.59%), including mainly linoleic (73.14%) and oleic (13.83%) acids, tocopherol (499.30 mg/kg) and phenolic compounds (1,314.13 mg GAE/kg). The physico-chemical characteristics were similar to those of other edible oils and the oil showed significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, the potential utilization of the passion fruit seed oil as a raw material for food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries could be favorable.

Keywords : Passiflora edulis; seed oil; fatty acids; tocopherols; phenolic compounds.