Acai oil
Encyclopedia
Açaí oil is obtained from the fruit of Euterpe oleracea
(açaí palm), which grows in the Amazon Rainforest
. The oil is rich in phenolic compounds similar in profile to the pulp itself, such as vanillic acid
, syringic acid
, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid
and ferulic acid
as well as (+)-catechin and numerous procyanidin
oligomers.
Açai oil is green in color and exhibits a bland aroma. It is high in oleic acid
(omega-9) and palmitic acid
(table).
! Fatty acid !! Percentage
|-
| Palmitic
> 22.0%
|-
| Stearic
2.0%
|-
| Arachidic
2.5%
|-
| Palmitoleic
2.0%
|-
| Oleic
60.0%
|-
| Linoleic
Açaí Palm
The açaí palm is a species of palm tree in the genus Euterpe cultivated for their fruit and superior hearts of palm. Its name comes from the Portuguese adaptation of the Tupian word ïwasa'i, '[fruit that] cries or expels water'. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years,...
(açaí palm), which grows in the Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
. The oil is rich in phenolic compounds similar in profile to the pulp itself, such as vanillic acid
Vanillic acid
Vanillic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid derivative used as a flavoring agent. It is an oxidized form of vanillin...
, syringic acid
Syringic acid
Syringic acid is a naturally occurring O-methylated trihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of chemical compound. It can be found in the açaí palm and its oil , in Ardisia elliptica...
, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid
Protocatechuic acid
Protocatechuic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid. It has mixed effects on normal and cancer cells in in vitro and in vivo studies.-Biological effects:...
and ferulic acid
Ferulic acid
Ferulic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid, a type of organic compound. It is an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant cell wall components such as arabinoxylans as covalent side chains. It is related to trans-cinnamic acid. As a component of lignin, ferulic acid is a precursor in the...
as well as (+)-catechin and numerous procyanidin
Procyanidin
Procyanidins are members of the proanthocyanidin class of flavonoids. They are oligomeric compounds, formed from catechin and epicatechin molecules....
oligomers.
Açai oil is green in color and exhibits a bland aroma. It is high in oleic acid
Oleic acid
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable fats. It has the formula CH37CH=CH7COOH. It is an odorless, colourless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. The trans isomer of oleic acid is called elaidic acid...
(omega-9) and palmitic acid
Palmitic acid
Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature, is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants. Its molecular formula is CH314CO2H. As its name indicates, it is a major component of the oil from palm trees . Palmitate is a term for the salts and esters of...
(table).
|-
| Palmitic
Palmitic acid
Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature, is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants. Its molecular formula is CH314CO2H. As its name indicates, it is a major component of the oil from palm trees . Palmitate is a term for the salts and esters of...
>
|-
| Stearic
Stearic acid
Stearic acid is the saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH316CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "stéatos", which means tallow. The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates...
|-
| Arachidic
Arachidic acid
Arachidic acid, also called eicosanoic acid, is the saturated fatty acid with a 20 carbon chain. It is as a minor constituent of peanut oil and corn oil . Its name derives from the Latin arachis — peanut...
|-
| Palmitoleic
Palmitoleic acid
Palmitoleic acid, or -9-hexadecenoic acid, is an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid with the formula CH35CH=CH7COOH that is a common constituent of the glycerides of human adipose tissue. It is present in all tissues, but generally found in higher concentrations in the liver...
|-
| Oleic
Oleic acid
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable fats. It has the formula CH37CH=CH7COOH. It is an odorless, colourless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. The trans isomer of oleic acid is called elaidic acid...
|-
| Linoleic
Linoleic acid
Linoleic acid is an unsaturated n-6 fatty acid. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature. In physiological literature, it has a lipid number of 18:2...