Lecythis pisonis Camb. nuts: oil characterization, fatty acids and minerals

The lipid content, the acid value, refractive and iodine indexes, the oil fatty acids profile as well as the concentration of inorganic elements contained in the Lecythis pisonis Camb. (Lecythidaceae) nuts were determined. The samples came from four different regions in São Paulo State, Brazil. The samples showed a high lipid content (34.2 to 61.3%) that presented a fatty acid profile, an iodine value and an index of refraction equivalent to the corn oils. Among the macronutrients, high levels of P (5.2 to 6.2 mg g−1) and Sn (69.1 to 77.0 μg g−1) were observed in all the nuts. High levels of Pb (3.3 to 3.8 μg g−1), Cu (2.9 to 3.3 μg g−1), Zn (2.6 to 3.8 μg g−1) and Mn (4.0 to 11.6 μg g−1) were found. It is evidence of a possible toxicity and it could compromise the use of the L. pisonis nuts for human consumption. ©