Persea major

Avocado Persea americana). The avocado grows in tropical and subtropical countries between 40°N and 40°S and is available particularly from California, Florida, Israel, New Zealand, and South Africa. Like the palm and the olive, lipid is concentrated in the fruit pulp (4—25%) from which it can be pressed. There is very little oil in the seed (2%). The oil is used widely in cosmetic products as it is easily absorbed by the skin, and its unsaponifiable material is reported to provide some protection from the sun. It is also available as a high-oleic speciality oil for food use. It is rich in chlorophyll, making it green before processing. It contains 16 0 (10-20%), 18 1 (60-70%), and 18 2 (10-15%) as its major fatty acids. Its unsaponifiable matter, total sterol, and tocopherol levels have been reported (74-78). 

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