Extraction of oil from pequi fruit (Caryocar Brasiliense, Camb.) using several solvents and their mixtures

In this study, the oil extraction process from pequi pulp using different solvents (hexane, acetone and ethyl alcohol) and their mixtures was investigated, using a simplex-centroid design. The extraction occurred at 50 C, under stirring (22 Hz), for 16 hours. The solid-liquid ratio used was 1:10 (w/w). Higher yield values were obtained for extractions with acetone and hexane, especially their mixtures with ethanol. Iodine value, saponification value and refractive index did not differ significantly among the treatments. A higher acid value was obtained for the extraction with ethyl alcohol. Higher carotenoid contents were obtained for the extraction with acetone and ethyl alcohol as pure solvents. The fatty acid profile in the oil fraction of the extracts did not vary among the different types of solvents and their mixtures.