Utilization of agroindustrial residue from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds as a source of fatty acids and bioactive substances

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of the oil extracted from passion fruit seeds (Passiflora edulis), an agroindustrial residue from juice industries, as a potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and bioactive substances. The oil presented low levels of free fatty acids and peroxides, as well a great amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids 58.4%, especially linoleic and linolenic acids, which indicates lower oxidation and good source of lipids. A relevant antioxidant activity as a result of a satisfactory content of bioactive substances, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, were determined in the passion fruit seed oil. The thermodegradation behavior of the oil suggested high thermal stability and the infrared spectroscopy exhibited high intensity bands between 1745 cm-1 to 1163 cm-1 correlated to the functional groups of fatty acids. Due to their bioactivity and presence of nutritious substances, the passion fruit seed oil may have beneficial properties to health and to extend the shelf-life foods products when present in dietary foods. Furthermore, the use of this by-product could reduce agroindustrial waste, expand and add value to the production chain when used as an industrial lipid matrix.