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Abstract- The present study assessed the chemical composition (such fatty acids, triglycerides, tocopherols) of argan oil from plants growing in two regions of Algeria (Tindouf and Mostaganem). The extraction of oil was carried out by solvent using soxhlet apparatus. The oil yield obtained was 55.9 % for Tindouf oil (TO) and 66.5 % for Mostaganem oil (MO). The fatty acid composition was determined by GC-FID, the triglycerides and tocopherols by HPLC. The results showed that the unsaturated fatty acids were 79.88 % and 82.58 % with the predominant components were oleic acid 45.02 % and 50.3 % followed by linoleic acid 29 % and 36.8 %. The major triglycerides were dilinoleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol (LLO) 12 % and 15 %, dioleoyl-llinoleoyl-glycerol (OOL) 15.5 % and 18.8 %, palmitoyl-oleoyl-linoleoyl-glycerol (POL) 12.6 % and 14.3 %, palmitoyl-dioleoyl-glycerol (POO) 15.8 % and 16.8 % then triolein (OOO) 11.3 % and 12.1 %. The unsaponifiable fraction was 1.6 % and 1.71 %. The tocopherols showed a high amount 657. 424 and 749.38 mg/kg with the gamma tocopherol as main compound 555.827 and 689.49 mg/kg.
Keywords- Arania spinosa, argan oil, extraction, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, unsaponifiable fraction, tocopherols
I. INTRODUCTION
Argania spinosa is a tropical tree which belongs to the sapotaceae family [1]. This plant is endemic of south-western Algeria and Morocco [2]. This species is originally grown in South Morocco and grows also throughout south-western of Algeria [3]; it's widespread in arid and semi-arid regions [4]. It protects soil from desertification and erosion [5], it has a very significant economic interest which lies in the over use of all parts of the plant such oil, firewood, timber [6] and forage (leaves and pulp) [7]. The plant is a source of valuable biologically active and edible oil produced from fruits of Argania [8]. This oil is consumed as human food and used in cosmetic preparations and in traditional medicine [9] and it is now incorporated into many cosmetic preparations [10]. This oil is mainly rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. It's a source of oleic acid (47.7%) and linoleic acid (29.3 %) [11]. It is rich in minor and noble compounds like tocopherols, polyphenols, sterols, carotenoids, xanthophylls, squalene [12] and saponins [13]. Many scientific studies have reported that the oil has many pharmacological...