Tumbo Seed Oil Modulates Lipid Metabolism in Experimental Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia

Background: Tumbo (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) is an Andean fruit whose seeds are commonly discarded as agro-industrial by-products, despite their potential as a source of bioactive lipids and antioxidant compounds. Their valorization could contribute to the development of functional ingredients with relevance to lipid and nutrition metabolism. Objective: To characterize tumbo seed oil and evaluate its effect on serum lipid metabolism in an experimental model of diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Methods: The oil was obtained by mechanical pressing at 60 °C. Acidity, peroxide, and iodine values were determined according to AOCS methods. Fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, while total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Guinea pigs were distributed into four groups: healthy control, hyperlipidemic control, olive oil treatment, and tumbo seed oil treatment. At the end of the experimental period, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c, and VLDL-c were determined. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test. Results: The oil showed low acidity, low peroxide value, and high iodine value, suggesting good initial quality and a high degree of unsaturation. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid, followed by oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. The oil also showed relevant antioxidant capacity in the evaluated assays. The hyperlipidemic group showed increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL-c compared with the healthy control group. Tumbo seed oil treatment reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and VLDL-c, while increasing HDL-c compared with the hyperlipidemic control group. Conclusions: Tumbo seed oil showed a highly unsaturated lipid profile, relevant antioxidant capacity, and potential to modulate serum lipid metabolism in experimental hyperlipidemia, supporting its interest as a bioactive ingredient in lipid and nutrition metabolomics research.