Caryocar brasiliense or pequi is a native fruit from Brazil, belonging to the Caryocaraceae family. It is found in the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Rain Forest regions , and mostly distributed in the central and southeastern regions of Cerrado.

Caryocar brasiliense is a drought tolerant, slow growing deciduous tree. It grows up to 10 meters tall with a crooked bole, deep taproot, and rounded, spreading crown. It cannot grow in the shade. The leaves are relatively large, tough, and hairy. The flowers are hermaphrodite and yellowish-white in color. The fruit is dark purple in color but turns to green as it ripens. The seeds produce edible oil which is mainly used for flavouring, in cosmetics, soap making, as an illuminant and lubricant (Filho, F. F. B, 2021)

Research studies in animals have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects of pequi oil. Traditionally, it has been used as treat skin lesions and to treat various types of respiratory disease (Pegorin et al 2020).

Chemical Composition of Pequi Oil

Chemical composition of pequi oil varies according to location for the same species and between species. Various studies were conducted to identify the chemical contents present in the pequi oil. These studies concluded that it consists of a high concentration of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which show anti- and pro-atherogenic properties, respectively, and of carotenoids, which give it a bright orange colour and antioxidant properties. (Braz J Med Biol Res, July 2012). The main fatty acids are oleic palmitic, gallic and quinine acids (Filho et al 2021)

Pequi oil has a very unique, strong fruity scent that is reminiscent of sour apple sweets, with a slight putrid fatty undertone. Even used at 10%, pequi oil adds fragrance to a cosmetic product. The scent profile is not surprising when you delve into the major aromachemicals present. These have been identified as ethyl hexanoate (52.9%) which gives an apple flavour; ethyl octanoate (4.6%) known to give a fruity floral scent, tetrahydrofurfurylalcohol (4.3%), ethyl butanoate (4.1%) which gives a fruity scent similar to pineapple, butyl palmitate (3.7%), isobutyl stearate (2.6%) and 3-methylvaleric acid (2.6%) (José Guilherme et al 2008)

Pequi Oil Fatty Acid Profile

Miranda-Vilela et al., 2009a

Health Benefits of Internal Use

A literature review found that extracts of Pequi had a therapeutic effect when taken internally. It benefited from being antioxidant, anti inflammatory, anti microbial, anti parasitic, anti-tumor and blood pressure controlling. (Filho et al 2021)

Some studies suggest that intake of pequi oil can protect against oxidative stress related to ageing therefor preventing chronic degenerative disease. Other studies have shown it to reduce inflammation and improve anaemic diseases (Roll et al in Filho, 2021). The antioxidants in pequi may act against free radicals “with a potential to eliminate reactive oxygen species and act in the prevention of disease.” which may be why it has been shown to have a hepaprotective effect (Vale et al, 2019 in Filho, 2021). In folk medicine it is used to combat several types of disease of the respiratory system and skin. (Pegorin et al 2020).

Cosmetic Benefits

Pequi oil has a wide range of potential benefits in the cosmetic industry, due to high concentrations of mono unsaturated fatty acids e.g linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid.

Palmitic acid is commonly used as an opacifier, surfactant, emulsifier, and emollient. The anti-oxidant activity of oleic acid, is capable of retarding the process of rancification. Therefore, larger amounts of oleic acid in an oil, the more stable it is. In addition, fatty acids are structural components of membranes, participate in different processes that involve cell growth and differentiation, signal transduction, and regulation of gene expression. Thus, the presence of these fatty acids in the skin is essential for the maintenance of skin hydration, and skin barrier. Therefore Pegui oil is ideal for moisturizing the skin.

It has also been shown to speed up the healing process so may be useful in supporting skin affected by dermatitis and eczema. Researchers have put the wound healing properties of the oil down to oleic and linoleic acids found in the oil as well as other phytonutrients. (Quirino et al, 2009; Baptista et al 2010).

Pequi oil is rich in vitamin A which is useful in protecting the skin from UV rays as well as being ‘efficient in skin hydration…’(Faria et al 2014 in Filho 2021). Apparently it complies with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency as a photo protector (RDC 30, dated June 1, 2012) [75]).

Notes

Pequi oil has a melt point of 37c (body temperature). It is a light orange colour with a a fruity scent. It can be used neat but I tend to dilute it. It will impart an amazing scent to products without having to put ‘fragrance’ on the label of your cosmetics..

References

Pegorin, G. S. A., Marques, M. O. M., Mayer, C. R. M., & Santos, L. (2020). Development of a phytocosmetic enriched with pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) oil. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 63. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4324-2020190478

Torres, Lucillia & Silva, Ana & Lima, Alessandro & Filho, Jorge. (2016). Phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of canned pequi pulp (Caryocar spp). Científica. 44. 493. 10.15361/1984-5529.2016v44n4p493-501.

José Guilherme S. Maia, Eloisa Helena A. Andrade, Milton Helio L. da Silva (2008) Aroma volatiles of pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 21, Issue 7,Pages 574-576

Filho, F. F. B., Ataíde, W. F., Machado, M. R. F., Ariel, E. S., Nebo, L., Benite-Ribeiro, S. A., Frederico, A. G. G., & Andréia, V. C. A. (2021). Therapeutic applications of Caryocar brasiliense: Systematic review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 15(9), 380-389

Quirino, Glauberto & Leite, Gerlânia & Rebelo, Luciana & Tomé, Adriana & Costa, José Galberto & Herzog, Andre & Campos, Adriana. (2009). Healing potential of Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.) fruit pulp oil. Phytochemistry Letters. 2. 179-183. 10.1016/j.phytol.2009.06.002.

Batista, J & Silva, A & Rodrigues, Carla & Costa, K & Oliveira, A & Paiva, E & Nunes, F & Olinda, Roberio. (2010). EVALUATION OF THE HEALING ACTIVITY OF PEQUI (CARYOCAR CORIACEUM WITTM) OIL IN CUTANEOUS WOUNDS INDUCED EXPERIMENTALLY IN RATS. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico. 77. 441-447.

Miranda-Vilela et al., 2009a

Braz J Med Biol Res, July 2012