ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Fatty Acid Profile of Oil Extracted from Irradiated and Un-Irradiated Kernel of Cherry Seeds

The aim of this work was to compare the fatty acid (FA) composition of oil from irradiated and un-irradiated cherry kernels (ChK). Cherry kernel were exposed to radiation doses of 0, 3 and 6 kGy of gamma irradiation covering the range for insect/pest disinfestations and for microbial load. The FA composition of cherry kernel oil (ChKO) was analyzed with using gas chromatography analysis. Oleic acid (C18:1) was consistently present in the highest quantity with averaged 51.07% of the total FA. The FA existing in second highest quantity was linoleic acid (C18:2) showing 38.03% on the average, followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) averaged 7.71%, stearic acid (C18:0) averaged 2.41%, palmitic acid (C16:1) averaged 0.42%, and linolenic acid (C:18:3) averaged 0.38%. indicating that it can be used for human consumption. In the present study, Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid, SFA and USFA were not affected by irradiation or storing. Conclusively, the ChKO may have sufficient oil volume potential to be used as edible (domestic) and industrial oil.