1 Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Alassane Ouattara University, 01 BP V18 Bouaké 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
2 Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Natural Substances, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
3 Research Unit of Organic Chemistry, Department of Mathematics-Physics-Chemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Paleforo Gon Koulibaly University, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
* Corresponding Author
ORCID Details
Yapo Séverin KATOU: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0395-864X
Patrick Audrey N’GUESSAN: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6869-1914
Dossou Sylvestre ETEKPO: https://orcid.org/0000-0000-5598-2011
Didier Guéi Roselin MOUHO: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7790-2294
Janat Akhanovna MAMYRBEKOVA-BÉKRO: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1598-6020
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 31(03), 680–689
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2026.31.3.2335
Received on 02 August 2026; revised on 09 September 2026; accepted on 11 September 2026
Objective: Despite the importance of cashew nut production in Côte d'Ivoire, data on the chemical composition of the unsaponifiable fraction of the fat in Anacardium occidentale L. kernels remain limited. The aim of this study was to determine the unsaponifiable content and characterize its chemical profile by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Methodology: Fat extracted from cashew kernels from Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, was saponified with a KOH solution, and the unsaponifiable fraction was then extracted with diethyl ether. After derivatization, the constituents were analyzed by GC-MS and identified based on their retention indices and mass spectra, compared to data from NIST spectral libraries.
Results: The unsaponifiable fraction was 1.583 ± 0.003% of the fat content. Chromatographic analysis identified several constituents, primarily belonging to the phytosterol, terpene, and diterpene alcohol families. The main compounds identified were stigmastan-5-en-3-ol (25.07%), stigmasterol (17.87%), stigmasta-3,5-diene (10.05%), geranylgeraniol (3.90%), and phytol (1.15%).
Conclusion : Various minor compounds present in the unsaponifiable fraction of cashew nut fat were studied. This characterization provides a foundation for a better understanding and nutritional and cosmetic valorization of cashew nuts from Côte d'Ivoire.
Anacardium occidentale L.; Cashew nut; Fat; Unsaponifiable fraction; Phytosterols; GC-MS; Côte d’Ivoire
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Yapo Séverin KATOU, Patrick Audrey N’GUESSAN, Yomeh Cynthia Viviane YAPO, Dossou Sylvestre ETEKPO, Didier Guéi Roselin MOUHO, Janat Akhanovna MAMYRBEKOVA-BÉKRO, Yves-Alain BÉKRO. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 31(03), 680–689. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2026.31.3.2335