Characterization of laurel fruit oil from Madeira Island, Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Castilho, PC (Author) Other; Costa, MD (Author) Other; Alírio Rodrigues (Author) FEUP; Partidario, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society

Vol. 82

Pages: 863-868

ISSN: 0003-021X

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-0AP

DOI: 10.1007/s11746-005-1156-4

Abstract (EN): The fixed oil extracted from Laurus spp. fruit from Madeira Island, Portugal, is used in local traditional medicine for a wide variety of health complaints. Physical properties, density and refractive index, as well as the TAG FA composition, sterols, and waxes were determined. The oil was found to have an unusually high content of volatiles (ca. 10%), with trans-ocimene and germacrene D predominating. Oleic (30%) and linoleic (20%) acids were the main unsaturated FA, whereas lauric (18%) and palmitic (up to 22.5%) acids were the main saturated FA in the neutral lipid fraction. The oil had a sterol content on the same order as olive oil, with beta-sitosterol (84%) predominating. Two sesquiterpene lactones, dehydrocostuslactone and costunolide, accounted for 5% of the overall composition. Madeira laurel oil is not currently used as an edible oil because of its very strong flavor. Its claimed medicinal properties have not yet been validated, and this is the first report on the characterization of the commercial product.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6