Physicochemical composition, biological activities and technological applications of avocado seeds

Avocados (Persea Americana) are an important commercial tropical fruit, mainly classified into four strains: West, Indian, Guatemalan, West Indian-Guatemalan hybrid, and Mexican. Avocado pulp composition is well-known, therefore it is marketed worldwide as a functional food. However, the fresh kernel seed constitutes 10-13% weight of the fruit that is discarded after processing or human consumption raising a considerable waste problem. However, avocado seeds are a rich source of fiber, phytosterols, triterpenes, fatty acids, furanoic acid, abscisic acid, catechins, procyanidins, and hydroxycinnamic acid. As a result of their composition, avocado seeds exhibit higher antioxidant capacities than pulp. Several pharmacological studies reported that avocado seed extracts are useful for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation and gastrointestinal irregularity. In a new report,avocado seed was concluded to have a hypolipidemic effect in mouse models. Besides, the potential to use it as a source of natural colorant, and effective sorbent has been considered.