Industrial Applications of Schinus molle L. Seed Oil: From Agriculture to Consumer Products

This study set out to examine her physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity and toxicological aspect of Schinus molle L. seed oil with view to ascertaining it as a potential product in an industrialized setting in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. It contains significant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic (43.2%) and linoleic (34.7) which are health promoting. Its antioxidant activity was very high with a total phenolic concentration (102.4 mg GAE/ 100g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (76.5) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, 0.45 mmol Fe2 + /100g). This improves its prospects as a preservative agent and anti-aging agent. Viscosity values of the oil also varied with temperature ranging between 37.2 cP at 25 oC (temperature of interest) to 55.5 cP at 200 oC, which indicates that it was capable of high temperature usage. A toxicological test indicated 0% cytotoxicity, no irritation on the skin, and genotoxicity was recorded negative and concluded that this oil can be used in a consumer product. The results showed the potential of oil to be a multifunctional, sustainable, and safe material in most industries, as it can act as an antioxidant, and it is non-toxic, which justifies its application in health-sensitive formulations. All in all, Schinus molle L. seed oil demonstrates its potential application.