COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF QUALITY INDEXES FOR LICURI AND BABASSU CRUDE VEGETABLE OILS

The Caatinga biome in Brazil stands out for its rich biodiversity and impressive adaptation to semi-arid conditions. Within this region, the oils extracted from licuri (Syagrus coronata) and babassu (Attalea speciosa) palms have gained significance as valuable natural resources. These palm trees produce oils with unique properties and versatile applications. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively analyze and compare the physicochemical characteristics, oxidative stability, and mono- (MAG), di- (MAG), and triacylglycerol (TAG) content of licuri and babassu oils. Licuri and babassu crude oils were donated by Coopefrut Cooperative (Miguel Calmon, Bahia) and analyzed regarding their acidity content, expressed as a percentage of free fatty acids (FFA), antioxidant capacity through Fe3+/phenanthroline method, oxidative stability (in hours) using Rancimat at 110°C, minerals by inductively coupled plasma, and determination of MAG, DAG, and TAG through gas chromatography. Licuri oil exhibited 0.09% FFA of acidity, 43.52 ± 0.57 µM FeSO4/100g of antioxidant capacity, with 30.09 hours of oxidative stability. It also contained 32.20 mg/kg of phosphorus, 12.10 mg/kg of calcium, and 8.68 mg/kg of magnesium. In contrast, babassu oil had an acidity equivalent to 0.94% FFA, 50.18 ± 0.28 µM FeSO4/100g of antioxidant capacity, with 50.76 hours of oxidative stability, and 1.04 mg/kg of phosphorus and calcium. On average, licuri oil comprised 98.03% TAG, 1.40% MAG, and 0.48% DAG, while babassu oil contained 96.01% TAG, 2.32% DAG, and 0.73% MAG. Licuri oil demonstrates lower acidity, whereas babassu oil displays superior stability due to higher antioxidant capacity. Differences in mineral composition, particularly the phosphorus content exceeding 10mg/kg in licuri oil, may influence the choice of refining processes. Additionally, it is important to note that the higher antioxidant capacity of babassu oil resulted in higher oxidative stability. Licuri and babassu oils offer opportunities for sustainable development in the Caatinga region, finding applications in various industries.