Delicious avocados are abundant in the Dominican Republic. Now a recent study released at the 254th American Chemistry Society conference on 21 August 2017, reports findings that have uncovered more nutrition and medicinal benefits found in the least appreciated part of the avocado – the seed husks. New research shows that the seed husks, that are usually discarded along with the seed, are “hidden gold mines packed with a previously unrecognized plethora of chemical compounds.”
New research presented at the ACS conference indicates that these compounds could eventually be used to treat a host of debilitating diseases, as well as to enhance the allure of cosmetics, perfumes and other consumer goods. The researchers presented their work at the 254th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS, the world’s largest scientific society.
Researcher Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D. and his students Valerie Cano, Orlando Castillo, Daniel Villicana and Thomas Eubanks at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley sought to find out more about what manufacturers are really throwing away when they discard these seed husks.
The researchers ground about 300 dried avocado seed husks into 21 ounces of powder. After additional processing, the powder yielded about three teaspoons of seed husk oil and slightly more than an ounce of seed husk wax. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, the research team found 116 compounds in the oil and 16 in the wax. Many of these compounds do not appear to be found in the seeds themselves.
Among the constituents in the oil was behenyl alcohol (also known as docosanol), an important ingredient used in anti-viral medications; heptacosane, which might inhibit the growth of tumor cells; and dodecanoic acid, which increases high density lipoprotein (known as HDL) and, as a result, could reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
In the wax, the researchers detected benzyl butyl phthalate, a plasticizer used to promote flexibility in numerous synthetic products from shower curtains to medical devices; bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate, which is used in cosmetics; and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which is a food additive.
Moving forward, Bandyopadhyay says his team will modify several of these natural compounds so that they can be used to create better medications with fewer side effects.
Bandyopadhyay acknowledges funding from the Center of Excellence in STEM Education (College of Sciences) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, DC, and Columbus, Ohio.
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ACS
23 August 2017
