Determination of Bioactive Constituents and Mineral Contents of Avocado Pear Seed Oil

Abstract

Edible oils of plant origins are fundamental components of human diet, and are essential for various industrial applications, such as in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Of increasing interest is the utilization of edible oils obtained from plant parts such as peels, seeds, rinds, leaves, flowers, and fruits, which are usually regarded as wastes. This study investigated the usability of edible oil extracted from avocado pear seed by assaying its bioactive constituents and mineral composition. The bioactive compounds in the oil were determined by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), while the mineral content was assayed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Results of the GC-MS analysis showed the presence of twenty nine compounds, with 18-Nonadecen-1-ol (13.20%) being the most predominant, and 3,7,7-Trimethyl-1,3,5-cycloheptatriene (0.24%) the least. Compounds such as 10-Undecyn-1-ol, 7-Hexadecenoic acid methyl ester, 14-methyl Pentadecanoic acid methyl ester, and Linolelaidic acid, methyl ester, identified in the avocado seed oil, have previously been reported to possess various biological activities, including antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic, antiandrogenic, hemolytic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Results of the mineral analysis showed that potassium (13.09 ± 0.22 mg/100 g) was the major element, while copper (0.06 ± 0.11 mg/ 100 g) was the least; cadmium and lead were not detected in the oil. The presence of pharmacologically important phytochemicals and essential minerals in avocado seed oil suggests its potential as a nutraceutical substance, with applications in food and drug preparations.