Effect of Extraction Methods on the Physicochemical Profile of Apricot Seed Oil and Its Applicability as an Active Ingredient in a Moisturizing Cream

Ben Ameur, Raoudha; Allouche, Noureddine

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2025.389412.11826

Effect of Extraction Methods on the Physicochemical Profile of Apricot Seed Oil and Its Applicability as an Active Ingredient in a Moisturizing Cream

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Natural Substances Team (LR17ES08), Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, B.P 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia

² Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Sfax, Tunisia.

10.21608/ejchem.2025.389412.11826

Abstract

Apricot kernel, one of the most economical fruit pits, is used worldwide for edible, cosmetic, and medicinal purposes. Our research work focuses on the extraction of apricot seed oil using cold-press (ASOP) and Soxhlet (ASOS) methods as well as the determination of its physicochemical properties and fatty acid, tocopherol, and carotenoid compositions. The total polyphenol contents of the ASOP and ASOS were equal to 388.7±27.48 mg (GAE)/kg and 352.7 ± 24.93 mg (GAE)/kg, respectively. The specific extinction values at 232 nm (K232) and 270 nm (K270) were (2.46 ± 0.17 and 1.96 ± 0.13) and (0.10± 0.01 and 0.31 ± 0.02) for ASOP and ASOS, respectively. Gas chromatography analysis revealed that linoleic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids in ASOP and ASOS, respectively. The evaluation of the DPPH, TAC, and FRAP activities of ASOP and ASOS revealed promising results. To assess the appeal of cosmetics, we explored the benefits of apricot seed oil (ASOP) in beauty products. Moisturizing creams containing different concentrations of ASOP were evaluated for their physicochemical stability, skin hydration, and rheological properties. The formulation with 2% ASOP proved to be the most stable and exhibited excellent emollient properties.

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