Optimization of fat yield of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) kernel using response surface methodology and its antioxidant activities

The objectives of this study are to optimize the extraction of fat from bambangan kernel using response surface methodology and to determine its antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents (TPC). Bambangan kernel was also investigated to determine proximate and amino acids in a pursuit to identify an innovative fruit which could be exploited in other food applications. Results for proximate compositions of bambangan kernel indicates moisture contents of 8.9%, crude protein contents of 4.1%, ash contents of 2.8%, and carbohydrate contents of 72.9% on dry weight basis. The highest fat yield of bambangan kernel was found to be 11.0% with optimum parameters at solvent volume of 329.7 ml (n-hexane), samples weight of 27.0 g, and extraction time of 7.6 h. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability of bambangan kernel powder and fat were found to be 60.6 +/- 2.1 and 35.2 +/- 2.1 mg TEAC/100 g, respectively. Moreover, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of bambangan kernel powder and fat were 150.6 +/- 2.4 and 119.0 +/- 6.3 mM/100 g, respectively. The TPC of bambangan kernel powder was 118.6 +/- 1.9 mg GAE/g, whereas kernel fat was 94.1 +/- 2.1 mg GAE/g. The DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP activities showed a strong correlation with TPC in both bambangan kernel powder and fat. The high TPC of bambangan kernel and its fat indicated that the kernels should be further utilized or processed to other food, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical products instead of discarded as waste.