Mineral Composition Physico chemical Properties and Fatty Acids Profile of Prunus armeniaca Apricot Seed Oil
Edible oils are an important food source for humans because they supply essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Oils are also used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The oils obtained from plant seeds can be both edible and non edible relating on the plant source. These oils are often available as raw materials for food industry usage. Because of the high request and economic aspects of these oils to the chemical industry, attention has been focused on the under utilized Prunus armeniaca L. kernel for possible development and use [1,2] Some studies have been conducted to assess the physical as well as chemical properties of the apricot seeds. Alpaslan and Hayta [3] have showed the physical and chemical composition of Turkish apricot kernels. Gezer et al. [4] has showed some physical properties of apricot pit and kernel of Turkish apricot kernels. Ozcan et al. [5] have reported the same physical properties of apricot kernel oil of Turkish Prunus armeniaca L. of oil. However, no study has been done about Iranian wild apricot kernel oil. Kernels of apricot, peach and plum are produced as byproducts by the food canning industry [4 8] This not only wastes a potentially economically valuable resource, but also aggravates an already serious disposal problem. For Mineral Composition, Physico chemical Properties and Fatty Acids Profile of Prunus armeniaca Apricot Seed Oil