almond oil

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bottled almond oil
Almonds

Under the name of almond oil , actually almond kernel oil ( INCI : Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil ) one understands the fatty vegetable oil obtained by cold pressing from both the sweet ( Latin dulcis ) and the bitter (Latin amarus ) almonds . The ripe seeds (almonds) of Prunus dulcis (Miller) DAWebb var. Dulcis or Prunus dulcis (Miller) DAWebb var. Amara (DC) Buchheim or a mixture of both are used.

The product called bitter almond oil , on the other hand, is the essential oil , which is obtained exclusively from bitter almonds.

Extraction

The almond oil obtained by cold pressing is then refined or simply left natural. The dry almonds are pressed after they have been cleaned of impurities and peel. After pressing, the oil is left to stand for several days so that the slimy components can settle. These are then separated off by filter presses. The press residues, which are sold as almond bran , still contain up to 10% fatty oil. Approx. 400 liters of almond oil are obtained from 1 t of peeled almonds.

Up to 36% fatty oil can be obtained from bitter almonds and up to 46% from sweet ones. The different yields result from the fact that bitter almonds contain 30 to 50% fatty oil and sweet almonds 30 to 60% fatty oil.

properties

There are three different qualities available in stores: refined, pressed and roasted.

The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Contains two monographs , one for virgin almond oil ( Amygdalae oleum virginale ) and the other for refined almond oil ( Amygdalae oleum raffinatum ). The monographs specify the quality / purity that must be maintained in order to use the oil in pharmaceutical preparations. In many other areas, such as the cosmetics or food industry, the pharmacopoeia is also often used as a quality standard.

In addition, there are recommendations to use only pure sweet almond oil for cosmetics and cooking purposes. The fatty oil from the bitter almond contains 1 to 8% of the glycoside amygdalin , from which toxic hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde can be released through enzymatic cleavage .

Almond oil, so-called cosmetic quality, is often offered blended (mixed) with sunflower oil without a declaration . According to the American Pharmacopoeia (US Pharmacopeia), almond oil may even be obtained from the "break" of various oil-containing kernels.

Properties and key figures of almond oil
property Value / description
Appearance Varies from yellow to colorless depending on the quality; is clear
taste Varies in the form, mild, pure,
slightly nutty, depending on the quality
odor Varies from almost odorless to mildly nutty, round,
light vanilla note, depending on the quality
relativ density 0.914 to 0.920; Ph.Eur. About 0.916
Refractive index 1.4702 to 1.4715
Acid number not over 8; Ph. Eur. Maximum 0.5, determined with
5.0 g oil
Peroxide number Ph.Eur at most 5.0
Unsaponifiable parts at most 1.5%; Ph. Eur. Maximum 0.9%, determined
with 5.0 g oil
Freezing point −10 to −21 ° C; Ph. Eur The oil
solidifies at around −18 ° C
solubility hardly soluble in ethanol 96%, miscible with petroleum ether
water Ph. Eur. Monograph Refined almond oil :
maximum 0.1%, determined with 5,000 g oil
if the oil is intended for the manufacture of
parenterals .
Type not drying
Shelf life and storage If properly stored, it can be kept for 10 months,
after opening about 6 months;
Ph. Eur. Storage: Protected from light,
in well-closed, consumption-appropriate containers that are
as completely filled as possible

The fatty oil from the sweet almonds and that from the bitter almonds show a difference in the so-called elaidic test .
The oil from the sweet almonds solidifies earlier and becomes almost completely solid, while that of the bitter almond does not solidify until about 12 hours later.

Example of a triglyceride in almond oil with a red marked, doubly unsaturated fatty acid residue - derived from linoleic acid - as well as two blue marked monounsaturated fatty acid residues - derived from oleic acid. Like other vegetable oils, almond oil is a mixture of different triesters of glycerine .

Almond oil has a very high proportion of mono- and di- unsaturated fatty acids, at over 90% . The tocopherol content is in the middle range.
The tocopherol fraction consists mainly of α-tocopherol, which has an antioxidant and skin-protecting effect and optimizes the absorption behavior.

Fatty acids in the triglycerides
fatty acid proportion of
Saturated fatty acids with
a chain length less than C 16 		at most 0.1%
Palmitic acid 4.0 to 9.0%
Palmitoleic acid at most 0.8%
Margaric acid at most 0.2%
Stearic acid at most 3.0%
Oleic acid 62.0 to 86.0%
Linoleic acid 20.0 to 30.0%
α-linolenic acid at most 0.4%
Arachidic acid at most 0.2%
Eicosenoic acid at most 0.3%
Behenic acid at most 0.2%
Erucic acid at most 0.1%

use

Use in pharmacy:

  • As a solvent and dispersion medium for oily injections ( parenterals ) of lipophilic drugs
  • As a drug carrier / base in oily eye drops
  • To relieve earache, the oil is warmed and instilled into the ear
  • As an oil component in creams

Almond oil is a very compatible and versatile base oil that is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive, dry and baby skin. When incorporated into creams, almond oil creates soft, supple and caring consistencies. Almond oil penetrates the skin well and greases it. This is felt to be soothing, especially for dry skin. Therefore, almond oil is said to be soothing, moisturizing and intensely nourishing. Use in cosmetics:

  • As skin oil, body oil, massage oil , bath oil
  • As an ingredient in lip balms, ointments, creams
  • In baby care products
  • In face and oil packs
  • In hair care products

In the kitchen:

  • Use as an oil in dressing
  • Suitable for frying, but uneconomical
  • Because of its light almond aroma, virgin almond oil is also suitable for making desserts

In technology:

  • Lubricant for fine mechanics such as watches, instruments and weapons

Others:

Web links

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Henry Lamotte Oils GmbH: Almond Oil , Retrieved April 9, 2015 Range: Product description .
  2. ↑ Monograph: Virgin Almond Oil. Ph.Eur, 6th edition, basic work 2008, p. 3170.
  3. ↑ Monograph: Refined Almond Oil. In: Ph.Eur. 6th edition, basic work 2008, p. 3171.
  4. ↑ Stephan Blezinger recorder making: Oil recorders .