Abstract
Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) is an underutilised legume indigenous to the Kalahari Desert region of southern Africa. The bean has high lipid content and hence is a potential source for production of edible oil. The headspace volatile composition of freshly pressed marama bean oil was explored and the oil was further studied during 7 months of storage under different light and temperature conditions. The oxidative stability of the oil was examined by measuring peroxide value, vitamin E content and FT-IR spectra. Additionally, the headspace volatile composition of the oil was investigated during storage by use of dynamic headspace GC-MS. The results showed that marama oil is highly stable and has good natural antioxidant properties; enzymatic lipid oxidation does not take place in marama oil. Light has a greater effect on the lipid oxidation than has temperature, and hence marama oil should preferably be stored in darkness and rather at 25°C than 35°C. Under these conditions, the marama oil has a shelf life of at least 7 months.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Food Chemistry |
Volume | 132 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 1749-1758 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISSN | 0308-8146 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jun 2012 |