Evaluation of 'nuez de barinas' (caryodendron orinocense) oil for possible use in cosmetic

Caryodendron orinocense, Karst., is a tree that grows along the eastern base of the Andes mountains in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia. It is known in Venezuela as 'Nuez de Barinas, nuez or nogal de Barquisimeto' and in other countries as 'inchi', 'taque', 'abay' or 'palo de nuez'. The oil extracted from the 'nuts' (seeds) is edible. The objective of this study was to assess the potential use of the oil extracted from the seeds in cosmetics. The organoleptic characteristics, some physical (viscosity, specific density, extensibility, UV absorbance), and chemical (fatty acid profile, titratable acidity, saponification index, unsaponifiable matter and peroxide value) characteristics, were determined by official methods. The results show a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content (75.13%) and good physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics appropriate for use in cosmetics. It was concluded that the Caryodendron oil should be useful in cosmetic formulations.