Assessment of the composition and microbiological purity of cold-pressed oils manufactured by OleoWita

Abstract

Introduction: Unsaturated fatty acids, essential for proper functioning of whole organism including skin, are the components of natural oils. The aim of the project was the assessment of lipid composition and microbiological purity of natural cold pressed oils.

Materials and methods: Cold pressed oils of OleoWita company obtained from chokeberry seeds, blackcurrant seeds, elderberry seeds, raspberry seeds, apricot stones, tomato seeds, strawberry seeds, broccoli seeds, Nigella sativa seeds, cannabis seeds, safflower seeds, milk thistle seeds, and coconut were analyzed. Mass spectrometry was used in order to conduct percentage analysis of fatty acids. Moreover, all oils were microbiologically tested according to the official legal requirements respecting cosmetics.

Results: Oils with the highest content of omega-3 fatty acids were: elderberry oil (34.93%), strawberry seed oil (29.01%) and raspberry seed oil (22.31%). The highest concentration of omega-6 fatty acids was observed in safflower oil (75.11%), chokeberry seed oil (61.54%), and blackcurrant seed oil (61.48%). Analyzed oils also contained omega-9 acids, the ones with the highest percentage were broccoli seed oil (69.46%), apricot stone oil (68.16%), and tomato seed oil (29.67%). Omega-7 fatty acids constituted a small part of the total fatty acid content, e.g. tomato seed oil (4.09%), blackcurrant seed oil (1.4%) and broccoli seed oil (1.11%). Microbiological analysis has shown that 12 products were qualified as class 1 cosmetics, while coconut oil was assessed as class 2 cosmetic.

Conclusions: High concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids enhances potential cosmetic properties of examined products, which can be used as cosmetics.