Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of oil from tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea Sendt) seeds var. red and yellow.

Tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea Sendt) is a Solanaceae originating from Peru. In Venezuela, it is cultivated in the Andean region and Aragua state. The objective of this research was to determine some physicochemical characteristics of oil extracted from tree tomato seeds of red (R) and yellow (Y) varieties. The parameters evaluated were: free oleic acidity (%, R= 1.1; Y= 1.1), saponification number (mg KOH/g, R= 195.3; Y= 196.2), iodine index (cg 12/g, R= 143.3; Y= 142.0), peroxide value (meq O2/kg, R= 1.5; Y= 1.4), unsaponifiable matter (g/kg, R= 19.6; Y= 20.3), refraction index at 40 degrees C (R= 1.4720; Y= 1.4710), relative density at 20 degrees C (R= 0.9236; Y= 0.9240). The fatty acid composition showed (%): palmitic acid (R= 7.7; Y= 7.4), stearic acid (R= 3.5; Y= 3.1), oleic acid (R= 16.3; Y= 17.7), linoleic acid (R= 69.0; Y= 69.3), and linolenic acid (R= 3.5; Y= 2.5). Tree tomato oil is recommended as a possible nutraceutic agent and salad-oil.