One plant, two distinct oils: the hidden chemistry of sea buckthorn
In short: The sea buckthorn plant, Hippophae rhamnoides, offers more than just a single extract. Depending on whether you press the seeds or the fleshy pulp, you unlock two chemically different oils with vastly different colors, textures, and nutritional profiles.
The extraction process of sea buckelse buckthorn depends on which part of the fruit is used. The seeds hold an average oil content of 7–11%, while the pulp contains a lower 1.5–3% by fresh weight. This distinction creates two separate products: a pale yellow seed oil and a thick, dark orange pulp oil. The pulp oil is particularly notable for its consistency; while liquid at room temperature, it becomes much thicker when refrigerated.
The chemical divergence between these two oils is profound. Seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically linoleic and α-linolenic acids. In contrast, the pulp oil is dominated by monounsaturated and saturated fats, with approximately 65% of its composition made up of palmitoleic and palmitic acids. The pulp oil also serves as a concentrated reservoir for carotenoids—pigments like beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lycopene—averaging 350 mg per 100 grams, whereas the seed oil contains significantly less, at an average of 67.5 mg per 100 grams.
Beyond fatty acids, both oils are dense with plant sterols and vitamin E compounds, such as α-tocopherol. However, the high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids makes these oils prone to turning rancid quickly, resulting in a relatively short shelf life. While these oils are staples in cosmetics for dry skin and have roots in traditional Asian and Russian medicine, scientific rigor is still catching up. As of 2022, there is no high-quality clinical evidence confirming specific medicinal uses, and research has not supported the use of dietary supplements for treating eczema.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sea buckthorn oil
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