LAUSR

Abstract This study was performed to compare, in term of quality and quantity, conventional and green lipid extraction procedures of three Tunisian date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds cultivars (Deglet Nour, Allig and Belah). Extractions were performed using n- hexane and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) as solvents. Identification and quantification of extracted fats and lipids were carried out by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector and high performance thin-layer chromatography. Results showed that Deglet Nour presents the highest lipids extraction yield (7.24–5.97%) using the both solvents. Hansen solubility simulation demonstrated that MeTHF is a good alternative solvent for lipid date seeds extraction. In addition, extraction of oils from date pits with ultrasound and micro-wave were better in terms of extraction time (30 min versus 8 h) comparing to soxhlet procedure and of extraction yield comparing to maceration (about 6% versus 4%). Triglycerides represent almost the whole recovered oils composition with 99% and the fatty acids were mainly oleic (44.02–46.9%), lauric (20.00–23.10%), myristic (8.88–11.26%), palmitic (9.00–10.73%) and linoleic (6.13–9.21%) acids.