Quality comparison of apricot kernel oils produced with different methods

【Objective】This research aims to explore a suitable method for producing apricot kernel oilwith high quality.【Methods】Oils were produced by cold-pressing(CP), hot-pressing(HP), supercriticalCO₂ extraction(SCE) and solvent extraction(SE) methods by from wild apricot kernel. The nutrition quali-ty, processing quality and oxidative stability of produced oils were analyzed and compared comprehensive-ly.【Results】Results showed that producing methods had little effect on the fatty acid composition andphytosterol content of apricot kernel oils, but influenced significantly on the contents of tocopherols, phos-pholipids, cyanides and oxidative stability as well as initial acid value and peroxide value. The contents oftocopherols and phospholipids in apricot kernel oil produced by SCE were significantly lower than thosewith other three methods. The cyanide contents in apricot kernel oil produced by CP and HP were signifi-cantly higher than those with SE and SCE. The apricot kernel oil produced by SE had the highest oxida-tive stability, while those with CP and HP were minor, and the oil produced by SCE had the poorest oxida-tive stability.【Conclusion】The cold-pressing method can produce an apricot kernel oil with an suggestedmoisture and volatile content, better oxidative stability, lower acid value and peroxide value, relativelyhigher contents of unsaturated fatty acid, tocopherols, phytosterol and phospholipids. These results sug-gest that cold-pressing may be a suitable method for producing apricot kernel oil with high quality.