Physicochemical properties of oils extracted from γ-irradiated Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seeds

•Sacha Inchi seeds were treated with γ-irradiation at three different doses.•γ-Irradiation did not significantly changed the physical properties of Sacha Inchi oils.•γ-Irradiation did not significantly modify the chemical composition of Sacha Inchi oils.

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of oils extracted from γ-irradiated Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seeds (SIS) at four different doses (0, 1, 5 and 8 kGy). Fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, FTIR spectra, density, refractive index, acidity, peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine index (p-An), oxidation induction period (IP), and color were chosen as test parameters. Overall, the irradiation treatment did not significantly affect the physicochemical properties of the Sacha Inchi oils, although slight increases were found in the PV and p-An, as the irradiation dose increased. γ-Irradiation led to a decrease in the concentration of γ- and δ-tocopherol, as well as in the IP. However, according to the FTIR analyses, the functional groups of the oils were not significantly affected by the γ-irradiation. These results suggest that γ-irradiation at 1-5 kGy, might be recommended as a suitable eco-friendly technology for the preservation of SIS used for oil production.