Analytical pyrolysis of the kernel and oil of babassu palm (Orbignya phalerata)

• Pyrolysis products of the oil and kernel of babassu.
• Studied using a pyrolysis process that was analysed via GC/MS.
• Were identified from the oil included alkanes, alkenes, cyclic ketones, aldehydes.
• Technique is that it achieves the direct analysis of the kernel.

Babassu palm has a great economic importance. The kernel oil can be used as fuel in production of biodiesel, and in food and cosmetics industry. The kernel cake is used generally like food supplement for animals and organic fertilizer. Analytical pyrolysis (Py–GC/MS) was used in this work to characterize babassu palm oil and kernel. In first steep, the pyrolysis temperature was optimized and detailed descriptions of the pyrolysis compounds released after pyrolysis at 650 °C is reported. The products identified from the oil pyrolyzed at 650 °C included alkanes, alkenes, cyclic ketones, aldehydes, esters and carboxylic acids. These compounds were produced by the pyrolysis of free fatty acids and triglycerides. The products identified from the pyrolysis of the kernel included alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, esters, carboxylic acids and amides, which were derived from the fatty acids and triglycerides that were present in the oil, as well as the carbohydrates and proteins present in the kernel cake. Analytical pyrolysis has several advantages, such as speed and simplicity, for identification of organic compounds, like observed in this work. However, this technique proved effective to obtain a lipid profile by analysis of babassu oil and kernel together with other data previously reported.