Physicochemical Characterization and Fatty Acid Profiling of Different Philippine Pili Nut (Canarium ovatum, Engl.) Varieties

Canarium ovatum, commonly known as Pili nut, is an endemic crop in the Philippines. This study focused on the assessment of the physical, nutritional, and fatty acid profile of the pulp and kernel of Pili nut varieties. The study included 7 varieties that are cultivated in a single soil condition at the Albay Research and Development Center, Buang, Tabaco City, Philippines. Standard method Association of Official Analytical Chemist for nutritional analysis and DNA barcoding were used in the study. Molecular authentication through DNA barcoding shows that studied Pili nut varieties belong to genus C. ovatum. Split component of the fruit reveals that pulp is the major component (12.6–25.3%) of the fruit, followed by shell (5.97–12.3%), kernel (1.75–3.49%), and testa (0.17–0.34%). Lyophilized Pili nut kernel contains 67.2–74.1% fat, 11.5–13.2% protein, 3.43–9.97% dietary fiber, and 2.93–3.37% ash, and provides 704–749 cal 100 g−1 energy. Pili nut pulp contains 43.4–53.1% dietary fiber, 20.2–31.7% fat, 8.32–10.9% ash, and 4.53–6.32% protein, and provides 361–432 cal 100 g−1 energy. Pili nut pulp is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Prominent fatty acid is oleic acid (C18:1) for all varieties, which is higher in the pulp than in the kernel. Other major fatty acids include palmitic (C16:0), linoleic (C18:2), stearic (C18:0), and linolenic (C18:3) acids. Most of the physical and chemical characteristics measured depend significantly on the variety.