Extraction and Composition of Lipids from Pomegranate Seed Oil from West Algeria

The beneficial health effects of pomegranate have consistently garnered scientific interest. This study delves into the health-promoting qualities of pomegranate seed oil from northwest Algeria, renowned for its nutraceutical benefits. Through Soxhlet extractions, oil yields between 11% and 17% were achieved, dependent on the chosen solvent. The oil's quality was rigorously assessed using indicators like iodine, acid, and saponification indices. Gas chromatography identified the predominance of unsaturated fatty acids (comprising 95% of the total), with a notable presence of punicic acid at 83.20%. This exceptionally high punicic acid content establishes Beni-Snouss pomegranate seed oil as a global punicic acid treasure trove, underscoring its significance as a valuable nutraceutical resource.