STUDY OF LIPID FRACTION FROM “BACURI” (Platonia insignis Mart.) NUT

Abstract

A study was conduct to evaluate some of the physical and chemical properties of the lipid fraction from bacuri (Platania insignis, Mart.) seeds. Predominant fatty acids were also determined by gas chromatographymass spectrametry. The extracted lipids had a refractive index (40°) of 1,475; a saponification number of 222 and a iodine number af 55. The most abundant fatty acids were palmitic (68,18%) and oleic (27,81%). The results indicate that the lipid fraction from bacuri seeds cauld be classified as a fat. The high yield (60%) af the extraction process suggests a good prospect for industrial production.