Physico-chemical and microbiological characterization of Fagopyrum esculentum moench. Fatty oil obtained by cold pressure

Abstract

Due to the application of ecological principles of life, organic and biologically grown plants (without the use of pesticides) have a large share in the diet as well as in medicine. Lately, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, vegetal raw material from rustic, unpolluted areas, which are numerous in Romania, is increasingly being used. The habit of cultivating and using Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. has systematically and significantly declined throughout the 20th century, being disadvantaged by the emergence and spread of nitrogen-based fertilizers, which have facilitated the growth of cereal production. However, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. is very rich in nutrients and antioxidants, including rutine, tannins and catechins. In this study we analysed the physico-chemical parameters (organoleptic, relative density, refractive index, acidity and peroxide index), the fatty acids content (oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acid) and evaluated the microbial contamination of the fatty oil obtained from the seeds of Fagopyrum esculentum grown in Romania, in view of further development of a nutraceutical product.