Tocopherol concentration in almond oil from Moroccan seedlings: Geographical origin and post-harvest implications

• Almond tocopherol content from different Moroccan geographical regions determined.
• Some almonds showed higher concentrations of α-tocopherol than previously reported.
• Almond tocopherol variability due mainly to genotype, but also geography.
• Tocopherol slows oil spoilage; these almonds could be used for oil.
• These genotypes could be used in agriculture programs to increase tocopherol levels.

The concentration of the three main tocopherol homologs was determined in oil samples of almond kernels of four different seedling populations from Morocco. The concentration of α-tocopherol ranged from 300.9 to 656.7 mg/kg oil, showing higher concentrations than what has previously been reported for almond. The concentration of δ-tocopherol ranged from 0.22 to 2.2 mg/kg oil, similar to that of other almond genotypes, and that of γ-tocopherol from 4.4 to 33.4 mg/kg oil, a wider range than has previously been determined in almond. Although the effect of harvest year was significant, tocopherol variability was due mainly to the genotype. The geographical origin was also significant, with the mountain populations showing higher concentrations of tocopherol, probably due to empirical selection for increased storage life, as tocopherol retards rancidification. These results may help to determine geographical areas of almond production with defined characteristics in order to increase the value of the almond products and the revenue of the local growers. Additionally, some seedlings could be incorporated as parents in a breeding program for increasing tocopherol concentration.