Scholarly Article
Comparative Evaluation of Extraction Methods on the Physicochemical Properties and Chemical Composition of Pistacia Lentiscus L. Oil
areibat, lila, Al-Kareiwi, Asma
2026-01-18 · AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences · University of Tripoli Alahlia
Abstract
This study explores the influence of three extraction techniques-hydrodistillation, cold pressing, and solvent maceration-on the physicochemical parameters and chemical composition of Pistacia lentiscus L. oil. The extracted oils were analyzed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The findings showed that, in comparison to the other extraction techniques, the cold-pressing approach produced higher density and refractive index values. The Brix value reached 69.3% for the cold-pressed sample, exceeding those produced via hydrodistillation and solvent maceration. GC-FID analysis identified six primary fatty acids in Pistacia lentiscus L. oil, with oleic acid (C18:1) being predominant-recording 48% in the cold-pressed oil, 45% in the hydrodistilled oil, and 32% in the alcoholic extraction. Thus, cold-pressing retained the most nutritious monounsaturated fatty acids. With measurements of 18% in the cold-pressed sample, 20% in the hydrodistilled sample, and 22% in the alcoholic extract, palmitic acid (C16:0) was the predominant saturated acid. This suggests that the use of organic solvents increases the number of saturated compounds. Linoleic acid (C18:2), a polyunsaturated fatty acid, revealed the largest percentage (16%) in the cold-pressed sample, compared with 13% and 8% for the hydrodistilled and alcoholic extracts, respectively. A balanced fatty acid profile was also found in trace levels of linolenic (C18:3), arachidic (C20:0), and stearic (C18:0) acids. These results highlight the advantages of cold pressing as a natural and effective way to maintain the nutritional integrity and quality of Pistacia lentiscus L. oil.
Keywords
Pistacia Lentiscus L., Extraction Methods, Physicochemical properties, Gas chromatography (GC-FID), Essential oils.
Citation Details
AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 143-148