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Abstract
Chemical characteristics of novel seed oils, yet not investigated, from three endemic Arecaceae (palm) species from Reunion Island are described. Fatty acid profiles are performed using two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Carotenoid contents are determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results of the investigations emphasize the particular composition of the unconventional red seed oil from Hyophorbe indica. Characteristic features of this oil reveal a high degree of unsaturation (50% of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a high content (17%) of omega-3), which is possibly a unique fatty acid composition in the Arecaceae family. The two other palm oils from Dictyosperma album and Latania lontaroides contain high level of saturated fatty acids very similar to that of the edible palm oil. H. indica oil is also very rich in valuable carotenoids; in particular, lutein, β-carotene and lycopene are detected in a high content (respectively 45, 23 and 35 mg.kg−1 in oil).
Graphical Abstract
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Séverine Vellayoudom-Conéricaondin, Lolita Maillot, Héloïse Reiss, Gwendoline Hoareau and Cathie Milhau from Université de La Réunion, for their technical help; the authors gratefully acknowledge Shimadzu, Millipore Sigma Corporations and Merck KGaA corporations for their continuous support, and all the agents of the Reunion National Park for providing fruit samples.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
