The Dipteryx lacunifera Ducke is an oleaginous legume with high oil and protein content that can be used in human nutrition. The specie is a native of the Piauí and Maranhão state in the north east of Brazil. The measure physico-chemical properties of the oil are specific density, refractive index, acid, peroxide, iodine and saponification values of 0.91, 1.4651, 0.60 (% oleic acid), 2.81, 70.80 and about 179, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oil showed the presence of 20.6% saturated, 65.1% monounsaturated and 14.3% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The saturated fatty acids C6:0, C8:0, C12:0 and C17:0 were present in trace (<0.01%) amounts while the C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0 and C24:0 were at concentrations of 10.3, 5.4, 3.4, 0.9 and 0.6%... |