Mulberry Seed Oil: a Rich Source of δ‐Tocopherol

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, mulberry seed oil (MSO) samples obtained from seeds of different mulberry varieties as well as concentrated mulberry juice production waste (mulberry pomace) were investigated. Radical scavenging capacity, tocopherol and total phenolic content of MSO were determined. It was observed that MSO contain unique amounts of δ‐tocopherol varying between 1645–2587 mg kg −1 oil depending on the variety. The secondary tocopherol homologue was γ‐tocopherol within a concentration range of 299–854 mg kg −1 oil. MSO exhibited a very high antioxidant capacity varying in the range of 1013–1743 and 2574–4522 mg α‐tocopherol equivalents (α‐TE) per kg of oil for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and freeze‐dried 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (FD‐ABTS) radical cation assays, respectively. Both antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were higher for mulberry pomace oil compared with the seed oils. Fatty acid composition of MSO was also determined, and linoleic acid was found to be the primary fatty acid (66–80 %).