Comparative analysis of lipid profile, and nutritional quality of eight Moroccan varieties of Punica granatum

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of eight varieties of Punica granatum seeds grown in Morocco (INRA station) as a source of vegetable oil. To this end we have investigated the impact of cultivars on lipophilic bioactive compounds, including Fatty acid (FA), phytosterol, and tocopherols, as well as the qualitative, nutritional and metabolic potential of the seeds of this varieties. The lipid profile analysis of pomegranate seed oils from the eight varieties revealed a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids, notably punicic acid (77.49–82.93 %). In terms of sterols, β-sitosterol scored the highest values among the sterols identified (520.31–726.82 mg/100 g). The chemical composition of tocopherols showed γ-tocopherol to be the major component (343.22–567.40 mg/100 g), with the red pomegranate showing the highest γ-tocopherol value, while the yellow pomegranate marked the highest concentration of total tocopherols. Nutritional indices calculated on the basis of fatty acid composition show favorable profiles for the Sefri and Mollar Ossin Hueso varieties.