Pomegranate seed oil in food industry: Extraction, characterization, and applications

Pomegranate is a prevalent fruit with a vast arena of food and pharmaceutical applications. The oil obtained from pomegranate seeds is known for its functional and beneficial health properties. Recently, there was an escalation in the studies concentrating on the applications of PSO in food and the related consequences. This review provides an overview of different methods studied for the extraction of PSO along with its astounding fatty acid profile. The approach also demonstrates the multifaceted applications of PSO in the food industry, ranging from an animal feed to food packaging. An abridged view of the stability, toxicity, and authentication of PSO is given along with an update on the potential market. Scrutiny on scientific literature identified many reviews on pomegranate, its derivatives, and fruit seed oils; however, the present study specifically focused on the recent progress in PSO works. The PSO can be applied as a functional component in food and beverages, a fat replacer, and a property enhancer in food packaging. Moreover, enriching the lipid profile of meat and dairy products ensures the supply of conjugated fatty acids in the daily diet without changing the prevailing diet patterns. The assessment reveals an overview of the PSO applications in food from extraction to daily dietary intake and its immense potentialities, being the major source of punicic acid.