Integrated Mineral Profiling and Techno-Functional Characterization of Baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) Oil and Almond

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is a native Cerrado species with growing nutritional and economic relevance, yet the mineral partitioning between the almond/oil and the resulting techno-functional implications remains unknown. This study provides an integrated characterization of mineral composition, structural features, and physicochemical, rheological, and thermal properties of baru almond and its extracted oil. XRF revealed high levels of essential minerals in the almond, while transition metals showed limited migration into the oil, contributing to its oxidative stability. Conversely, Mg, P, and Zn were proportionally enriched in the oil. The oil exhibited low acidity and peroxide values, a lipid profile dominated by oleic and linoleic acids, Newtonian behavior at processing-relevant shear rates, and high thermal stability (T_onset = 394.9 °C). FTIR confirmed the structural integrity of triacylglycerols. Altogether, the selective mineral distribution and balanced lipid composition underpin the chemical and thermal robustness of baru oil, supporting its potential for food and bioeconomic applications.