Physicochemical Characteristics, Phenol Content and Fatty Acids of Bitter Almond Oil

Abstract

In this study, physicochemical properties, thermal analyze, viscosity, phenol content and fatty acid composition were investigated. The plant material used comes from a wild plant growing in the wilaya of Béjaïa (Algeria).  Almonds oil is considered functional foods for the presence of polyphenols compounds. The physicochemical parameters of the bitter almond oil were: the acidity values vary from 1.389 to 3.559%, peroxide index 19.538meq of active oxygen/ kg of oil, rancimat test PI=15h, total polyphenols= 0.137mg Gallic acid/mg bitter almond oil. The profile of the viscosity of the oils confirming that oil analyzed was Newtonian in nature. The TG/DTG curves showed bitter almond oil thermally stable consistent with the result of oxidative induction time. The fatty acid composition of bitter almond oil reveals the presence of the following fatty acids: gallic acid; hydrobenzoic acid. Catechic acid, isovanilic acid, vanilic acid, salicylic acid, myricetin, quercetin, anthrone and oxacil acid. Of which gallic acid is the majority. The physicochemical properties of the bitter almond oil indicated that it is promotes use in cosmetics and suggested its suitability for industrial purposes.