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RAIN FOREST PRODUCTS
The Amazonian flora is extremely rich and diverse in oilseed plants and therefore it is incomparable and unique. The seeds vary in size, shape and in the quality of the oil they contain. Amazonian oils have a fantastic potential to be used by various cosmetic, pharmaceutical, textile and foods industries.
The table below lists the different characters that specific Amazonian oils have. Additional information on the fatty acid composition and physical-chemical properties of each oil, which defines their applications for various purposes, is available in the individual descriptions of Rain Forest Products.
Amazonian oilseed species |
Characteristics |
Andiroba
Carapa guianensis |
Contains limonoids (andirobina) and terpenes (meliacins), acts as a repellent, fungicide and bactericide. |
Cupuaçu
Theobroma grandiflorum |
Possesses a high capacity to absorb water, 120% higher that than of lanolin, phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), excellent emollient. |
Açaí
Euterpe oleraceae |
High concentration of the antioxidant anthocyanin, up to 33 times more than grapes, rich in essential fatty acids. |
Buriti
Mauritia flexuosa |
Contains oleic acid (70%), the beta-carotene concentration (118 mg/100 g of oil) is 20 times more than what is found in carrots. |
Bacuri
Platonia insignis |
Contains the bioactive tripalmitin (50% to 55%) and palmitoleic acid (5%). |
Pracachy
Pentaclethra macroloba |
Contains behenic acid (19%), six times higher than that of peanut oil. |
Copaíba
Copaifera spp. |
Contains 72 sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbons) and 28 diterpenes (carboxylic acids), is a natural anti-inflammatory, is twice as active against inflammation than Diclofenac Sodium. |
Ucuuba
Virola surinamensis |
Melting point (53°C), replacement of animal tallow, contains 70% of trimeristin, contains 74% myristic acid. |
Brazilnut
Bertholletia excelsa |
Contains selenium (126 ppm), with antioxidant properties, contains 75% unsaturated fatty acids. |
Tucumã
Astrocaryum vulgare |
Contains beta-carotene, 180 to 330 mg / 100g of oil contains 74% unsaturated fatty acids, rich in omega oils 3, 6 and 9. |
Patauá
Oenocarpus bataua |
Rich in oleic acid (76%), similar to olive oil (Olea europaea), unsaturated fatty acids > 80%. |
Murumuru
Astrocaryum murumurú |
Rich in lauric acid (47%) and myristic acid (26%), melting point (32.5ºC). |
Passion fruit
Passiflora edulis |
Rich in linoleic acid (62%). |
Breu Branco
Protium heptaphyllum |
High concentration of mono-terpenes, similar to the genus Boswellia found in India and Africa. |
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OILS