Physicochemical analysis of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) seed oil from Zago, Agaie Local Government Area of Niger state

Abstract

Dried Blighia sapida seeds were divided into two portions: one portion dehulled (DS) while the other was left as whole seed (WS), and made into fine powder. The oil was extracted with diethylether using Soxhlet extractor, and characterized by determining the percentage yield, acid, saponification, iodine and peroxide values. Moisture, ash, carbohydrate, lipid, protein and crude fibre contents were determined according to standard methods of analysis. The respective proximate analysis for dehulled seed (DS) and whole seed (WS) indicated low moisture content (6.00 ± 0.28 and 3.57 ± 0.21% WW), ash content of (2.50 ± 0.10 and 3.50 ± 0.16% DW), carbohydrate (49.45±0.00 and 54.60 ± 0.14% DW), lipid (36.55 ± 0.1 and 18.20 ± 0.03% DW), protein (9.5 ± 0.16 and 9.70 ± 0.01% DW) and crude fibre content (2.10 ± 0.08 and 14.00 ± 0.24 DW). The DS had the highest saponification value (244.60 ± 0.25 mgKOH/g), acid value of (5.16 ± 0.01 mgKOH/g), while peroxide value (9.14 ± 0.08mg/g and Iodine value (8.10 ± 0.21mg/g) are higher in WS. The results of the physicochemical analysis of the oil revealed that the oil has high stability to rancidity due to low levels of iodine and peroxide values, which invariably indicate low unsaturation tendency and therefore high level of saturation. The high level of saponification values suggests the potential of the oil for use in industries for making soaps, shampoos, cleaners, shaving creams and lubricants.