β-carotene and fatty acid composition of <i>Attalea phalerata</i> oil and its effect on metabolism as the sole source of vitamin A precursors in deficient rats

<b>Background:</b> The fruit of <i>Attalea phalerata</i> has high nutritional value, including carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids, in its pulp. <b>Aim:</b> To evaluate the effects of <i>A. phaler</i>ata pulp oil as a source of vitamin A in animals with deficiency. <b>Methods:</b> Male Wistar rats, 21days old (∼60 g) were divided into three groups: Control Group(C): received AIN-93G diet for 75 days; <i>A. phalerata</i> oil group (AO): received AIN-93G diet without vitamin-A for 45 days followed by a diet containing <i>A. phalerata</i> oil for 30 days, β-carotene (BC) group: received AIN-93G diet without vitamin-A for 45 days followed by a diet containing synthetic β-carotene for 30 days. <b>Results:</b> β-carotene concentration (308.1 µg/mL) and fatty acid profile (48.59% of oleic acid) were quantified in oil by high-performance liquid chromatography. Groups AO and BC had a corneal tissue weight 92% higher than the C. The conjunctival weight was 89% higher in the AO group and 98% higher in the BC group versus the C group. Urea levels were 17% higher in the AO group compared to the BC group. The concentration of carbonyl proteins in the liver of the AO group was 233% higher than that of the C group. The BC group showed levels of carbonylated proteins lower than the AO group and equal to the controls. <b>Conclusion:</b> <i>A. phalerata</i> pulp oil may be an effective source of β-carotene for recovering animals with vitamin A deficiency; nonetheless, recovery with <i>A. phalerata</i> oil was not sufficient to improve the oxidative damage caused by 45 days of nutritional insult.