Arecaceae oils as functional food ingredients: Composition, bioactivity, and technological potential for innovation

Oils obtained from Arecaceae species have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their chemical diversity and potential nutritional and functional applications. However, an integrated synthesis combining bibliometric trends with systematic evidence remains lacking. This review provides the first combined bibliometric analysis and PRISMA-guided systematic review focused on edible oils from Arecaceae species. The bibliometric assessment, based on the Scopus database, mapped publication trends and research networks, while the systematic review evaluated 57 studies published between 2020 and 2024 addressing chemical composition, bioactivity, and technological applications. Research output on Arecaceae oils has increased substantially over the last decade, with Brazil and Malaysia emerging as leading contributors to this field. The reviewed studies reveal substantial interspecific variability in fatty acid profiles and bioactive constituents, particularly in MUFA-rich species and in oils enriched with carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and phytosterols. These compounds collectively underpin the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and technological properties reported for several Amazonian palms. Overall, the integrated findings demonstrate strong biotechnological potential for Arecaceae-derived oils as functional food ingredients and multifunctional bioactive matrices. The pronounced chemical variability among species, combined with extraction-dependent compositional shifts, highlights critical gaps in mechanistic understanding and limits the comparability of current evidence. Advancing standardized analytical frameworks, mechanistic studies, and scalable extraction strategies will be essential for their safe and effective incorporation into food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. • Arecaceae family oils: a rich source of essential fatty acids and carotenoids. • Palm oils offer high antioxidant activity and nutritional value for health promotion. • Sustainable extraction methods ensure greener processes for Arecaceae oil production. • Arecaceae oils: innovative alternatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.