Received: 9 September 2020 Revised: 7 March 2021 Accepted: 12 March 2021 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12752 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY Almond oil: A comprehensive review of chemical composition, extraction methods, preservation conditions, potential health benefits, and safety Mounir Ouzir 1, 2 Sara El Bernoussi 3 Mohamed Tabyaoui 3 Khalid Taghzouti 1 1 Group of Research in Physiology and Physiopathology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco 2 Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, ISPITS Beni Mellal, Beni Mellal, Morocco 3 Laboratory of Materials, Nanotechnology and Environment (LMNE), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco Corresponding Mounir Ouzir, Group of Research in Physi- ology and Physiopathology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, 10000, Morocco. Email: m.ouzir@gmail.com Abstract Almond oil, a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients, is extracted for food flavorings and the cosmetics industry. In recent years, the need for high- quality and high-quantity production of almond oil for human consumption has been increased. The present review examines the chemical composition of almond oil, storage conditions, and clinical evidence supporting the health ben- efits of almond oil. From the reviewed studies, it appears that almond oil contains a significant proportion of poly and monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid as the main compound, and an important amount of tocopherol and phytosterol content. Some variations in almond oil composition can be found depending on the kernel’s origin and the extraction system used. Some new technologies such as ultrasonic-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, subcritical fluid extraction, and salt-assisted aqueous extraction have emerged as the most promising extraction techniques that allow eco-friendly and effective recovery of almond oil. This safe oil was reported by several clinical studies to have potential roles in cardiovascular risk management, glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress reduction, neuroprotection, and many dermatologic and cosmetic applications. However, the anticarcinogenic and fertility benefits of almond oil have yet to be experimentally verified. KEYWORDS allergenicity, almond oil, chemical composition, extraction techniques, health benefits, preser- vation, toxicity 1 INTRODUCTION Almond (Prunus dulcis [Miller] D.A. Webb, syn. Prunus amygdalus [L.] Batsch, and Prunus communis L. as well as Amygdalus communis L.) is among the oldest domes- ticated trees, native to South–Central Asia, and dis- seminated to other regions such as the United States, Mediterranean countries, Australia, and Central Asia (Ladizinsky, 1999). This tree, generally recognized as a drought-tolerant species, expresses gametophytic self- incompatibility, which discourages self-fertilization and requires cross-pollination allowing genetic variability and, therefore, adaptability to various environments (Gradziel, 2009; Prgomet et al., 2020). Almonds are deciduous trees of varying size, shape, vigor, growth, branching pattern, and bearing habit with the ability to develop a deep and extensive root system. These characteristics affect almonds’ productivity, pruning, and harvesting processes 3344 © 2021 Institute of Food Technologists R  Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2021;20:3344–3387. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/crf3