Low-pressure solvent extraction of oil from macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp: characterization of oil and defatted meal

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to extract the oil from macauba pulp using a low-pressure solvent extraction, as well as characterisation of the extracts and defatted meal obtained using different solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and isopropanol). Results reported higher yields in oil, 27.43%, using isopropanol (P<0.05), wherein the highest levels of β-carotene in the extract, 348.30mg 100g-1, were obtained with this solvent. In the composition of the extracts, monounsaturated fatty acids were predominantly found, and it was reported that the type of solvent had no significant influence (P>0.05) on the composition; however, in the quantification of free glycerol compounds, isopropanol showed higher levels, 104.15mg 100g-1, of these compounds (P