Green extraction of oil and bioactive compounds from Calophyllum inophyllum kernels for cosmetic application

What if the secret to clearer skin was hidden inside a tropical nut? A green extraction method just unlocked up to 74.5% oil from the tamanu kernel—packed with anti-acne and antioxidant power.

For centuries, tamanu oil has soothed skin in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Now, scientists are modernizing its extraction with a greener twist: a simple screw press, no harsh solvents needed. The goal? To pull out not just oil, but the bioactive compounds that fight acne, oxidation, and inflammation—all for tomorrow's cosmetics.

The team tested different drying times and temperatures to find the sweet spot. Raising the extraction temperature from 30°C to 90°C boosted oil yield dramatically, from 12.5–21.2% to 70.3–74.5% (dry basis). Longer kernel drying also helped, pushing yields from 14.2–17.6% up to 39.4–43.1%. But heat came at a cost: lower temperatures and shorter drying times preserved oil quality better—keeping acid values low and boosting antioxidants, phenols, and coumarins.

Two optimal recipes emerged. A 5 kg/h screw press gave the highest yield (74.5%) with 24-hour fruit drying and 90°C extraction. Meanwhile, a larger 20 kg/h press achieved 43.1% yield with gentler conditions: 7 days of fruit drying, 16 hours of kernel drying, and 30°C.

Both methods produced oil that meets cosmetic standards—pH within the SNI range (4.5–8), rich in phenols, coumarins, and steroids, with strong anti-acne activity and positive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Nature's nut, processed with care, could be the next star ingredient in your skincare routine.

Key Points

• Screw press boosts oil yield up to 74.5%
• Lower temps improve oil quality, not just yield
• Oil meets cosmetic standards with anti-acne power