Comparative analysis of acidity, mineral content, and lipid composition in Bacaba-de-Leque and Brazil Nut crude oils from the amazon rainforest

Bacaba-de-leque (Oenocarpus distichus Mart.) and Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) are trees from the Amazon rainforest which are rich in oil and have gained high significance. This study aims to comprehensively analyze and compare the acidity, mineral content, fatty acid profile, and the content of monoacylglycerols (MAG), diacylglycerols (DAG), and triacylglycerols (TAG) in bacaba and Brazil nut oils. The bacaba oil was purchased from a consultant (Ananindeua, Pará), and the Brazil nut oil was supplied by a local cooperative (Juruena, Mato Grosso). The oils were analyzed for their acidity, expressed as a percentage of oleic acid, mineral content by inductively coupled plasma, and their fatty acid profiles along with MAG, DAG, and TAG content were determined by gas chromatography. Bacaba oil exhibited an acidity of 4.91% oleic acid, with 0.94 mg/kg of phosphorus, 0.62 mg/kg of iron, 0.60 mg/kg of calcium, and 0.24 mg/kg of magnesium. In contrast, Brazil nut oil had an acidity of 0.29% oleic acid, with 22.00 mg/kg of phosphorus, 7.29 mg/kg of calcium, and 5.14 mg/kg of magnesium, with no iron detected. Both oils displayed similar fatty acid profiles: bacaba oil contained 70.19% oleic acid, 18.54% palmitic acid, and 11.27% linoleic acid, while Brazil nut oil had 42.23% oleic acid, 41.29% linoleic acid, 11.84% palmitic acid, and 4.63% stearic acid. On average, bacaba oil comprised 91.34% TAG, 4.94% DAG, and 3.71% MAG, whereas Brazil nut oil contained 97.23% TAG, 2.39% DAG, and 0.38% MAG. Bacaba oil showed higher acidity and lower mineral content, while Brazil nut oil exhibited lower acidity and higher concentrations of minerals, indicating a need for refining. Both oils share a similar fatty acid profile, although Brazil nut oil is significantly richer in linoleic acid. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the nutritional and commercial potential of these Amazonian oils.