Sustainable Extraction Methods for the Improvement of the Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Quality of Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) Pulp Oil

Abstract

Pequi pulp (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) is an important lipid source among Brazilian Cerrado fruits, with great socioeconomical and environmental relevance for small farmers. However, it is mainly produced on an artisanal scale through high-temperature aqueous extraction (AE), resulting in low-quality oils. Therefore, boosting oil quality and production practices is mandatory. This work evaluated the impact of sustainable and technically viable extraction methods─hydraulic pressing (HP), expeller-type pressing (EP), AE, and ethanol extraction (EE)─on oil quality, physicochemical, and nutritional properties. AE’s temperature and time promoted carotenoid losses, harming oil’s nutraceutical value. EE provided a high yield (63.96%) and the highest carotenoid extraction (346.39 μg/g), along with other nonlipidic content (>10%), which is a significant bottleneck. HP and EP promoted high yields (64.61%), carotenoids (326.56 μg/g), low acidity, and low oxidation/hydrolysis degree. Lipid profile variations led to small differences in thermal and rheological behavior while preserving oil identity. Mechanical pressing proved to be the most suitable method for small-scale applications, aligning cost, yield, and oil quality, whereas ethanol extraction offers relative advantages for industrial-scale processing, standing out for a higher carotenoid recovery. Results can fill Brazilian legislation gaps on pequi oil quality and identity standards, avoiding low-quality oils and fostering their use in lipid-based products, improving the socio-bioeconomy of the Brazilian Cerrado region.