Case study

The Value Chain of Aleppo Pine Seeds and the Value Added of Vegetable Oil Extracted from Seeds

A close up of Aleppo pine seeds with a bowl of pale oil extracted from the pine seeds.

Objective:

Aleppo pine seeds (commonly called Zgougou) derive all their originality and nobility from the fact that they are consumed by Tunisians as part of their cooking habits. Zgougou is considered one of the most interesting NWFP due to socio-economic role and commercial value.  Aleppo pine seed oil can be extracted as for nutrition, or for medicinal and cosmetic uses.

The present work studies the conditions of exploitation of seeds in the forest, the yield of vegetable oil extracted, its physicochemical qualities and the possibilities of valorizing the press cake obtained after the oil extraction.

Start/end date:

Context:

Different research work has been carried out on:

  • Supply chain from the harvesting operation to the treatment of cones and seeds;
  • Evaluate the yield of vegetable oil obtained by pressing from several geographical origin of seeds;
  • Study the physico-chemical characteristics of the oil extracted;
  • Study the possibility of transformation of the residue obtained after the oil extraction and its food valorization.

Contacts:

Further information:

Elj Farah et Chayma Amiri, 2016. Optimisation des procédés d‘extraction de l‘huile de Pinushalepensis Mill. et valorisation de sa pâte dégraissée. Mémoire de Licence appliquée en Industries et procédés alimentaires de l‘ESIAT 2016.