The Chemical Composition of Argan Oil

The present study assessed the chemical composition (such fatty acids, triglycerides, tocopherols) of argan oil from plants growing in two regions of Algeria (Tindouf and Mostaganem). The extraction of oil was carried out by solvent using soxhlet apparatus. The oil yield obtained was 55.9 % for Tindouf oil (TO) and 66.5 % for Mostaganem oil (MO). The fatty acid composition was determined by GC-FID, the triglycerides and tocopherols by HPLC. The results showed that the unsaturated fatty acids were 79.88 % and 82.58 % with the predominant components were oleic acid 45.02 % and 50.3 % followed by linoleic acid 29 % and 36.8 %. The major triglycerides were dilinoleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol (LLO) 12 % and 15 %, dioleoylllinoleoyl-glycerol (OOL) 15.5 % and 18.8 %, palmitoyl-oleoyllinoleoyl-glycerol (POL) 12.6 % and 14.3 %, palmitoyl-dioleoylglycerol (POO) 15.8 % and 16.8 % then triolein (OOO) 11.3 % and 12.1 %. The unsaponifiable fraction was 1.6 % and 1.71 %. The tocopherols showed a high amount 657. 424 and 749.38 mg/kg with the gamma tocopherol as main compound 555.827 and 689.49 mg/kg. KeywordsArania spinosa, argan oil, extraction, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, unsaponifiable fraction, tocopherols