Original Articles: 2013 Vol: 5 Issue: 10
Comparative studies of the chemical parameters of oil extracted from the seeds of ripe and unripe fruits of Blighia sapida (ackee)
Abstract
Apart from other domestic uses, vegetable oils are increasingly being used in the electrical industry as insulators since they are not toxic to the environment, biodegradable if spilled and have high flash and fire points. The present study evaluates and compared the chemical properties of the seed oil of both ripe and unripe ackee (Blighia sapida). The oil parameters for the ripe and unripe seeds are respectively as follows: Moisture contents: 4.79 to 7.81 % and 4.39 to 7.62 %; Crude fat: 12.32 to 18.86 % and 10.56 to 14.87 %; Iodine values: 92.1 to 115.83 and 102.64 to 133.65 mg/g oil; saponification values: 187.92 to 201.73 and 174.79 to 181.61 mg KOH/g; Peroxide value: 8.50 to 9.50 and 8.50 to 10.33 mEq/kg. The oil from ripe seeds have lower unsaponifiable matter than that from unripe ackee seeds thereby making the latter less desirable in soap production. The acid values are less than 4.0mgKOH/g. The parameters differ significantly from those previously reported for the arils of the fruits. These properties may prove useful in their application as pharmaceutics, cooking oils and industrial raw materials