ISSN 2995-9246
International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 1, No. 6, June 2010 | pp. 43–51
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJC/000006
Article Type: Original Research Paper
Title: Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Profiles of Seed Oils Extracted from Non-Conventional Oilseeds in Western Nigeria
Names of Authors: Olumide S. Ayodele¹, Khadijah T. Bello¹
Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Abstract: Exploring underutilized non-conventional oilseeds is critical to reducing reliance on commercial oils for industrial and nutritional applications. This study characterizes the physicochemical properties and fatty acid profiles of crude seed oils extracted from three local species: Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon), Hura crepitans (Sandbox tree), and Blighia sapida (Ackee). Solvent extraction was carried out using n-hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus, yielding oil contents of 41.3%, 36.8%, and 28.5% for C. lanatus, H. crepitans, and B. sapida, respectively. Physicochemical analysis revealed peroxide values ranging between 2.14 and 4.80 meq O2/kg, indicating good oxidative stability. Saponification values were high (188.5 to 204.2 mg KOH/g), pointing toward applicability in soap manufacturing. Iodine values for C. lanatus (118.4 g I2/100g) and H. crepitans (126.8 g I2/100g) classified them as semi-drying oils, whereas B. sapida (74.2 g I2/100g) was classified as a non-drying oil. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) indicated that linoleic acid (61.2%) was the predominant fatty acid in C. lanatus, while H. crepitans was dominated by linolenic acid (44.5%). Conversely, B. sapida was rich in oleic acid (55.4%). These profiles confirm the nutritional viability of C. lanatus oil and the high potential of H. crepitans oil for biodiesel synthesis.
Keywords: Non-conventional seed oil, Physicochemical analysis, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fatty acid methyl esters, Linoleic acid, Saponification
Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 22, 2010; Revised: April 25, 2010; Accepted: May 18, 2010; Published: June 03, 2010