Lecithin is usually derived as a by-product of vegetable oil processing. It is also known as phosphotidycholine, it is important for its wide use in food manufacturing, product development as well as pharmaceutical products formulation. The quantity of lecithin being imported into Nigeria for use in several industrial sectors is steadily increasing; the attendant effects of such huge importation can be minimized by sourcing lecithin from Nigerian varieties of oil bearing seeds such as sesame. Sequel to a careful selection of seeds, oil was extracted from four varieties of Nigerian sesame using soxlet extraction method. Lecithin was later produced from the extracted oil through oil degumming process. Lecithin quality parameters such as Iodine Values (I.V), Peroxide Values (P.V), Saponification Value (Sap.V), Acid Values (A.V) and Free Fatty Acid (FFA) values were subsequently evaluated for all oil and lecithin samples extracted. Percentage yield of lecithin isolated from the selected varieties of sesame namely: NCRIBEN 01M, NCRIBEN O2M, NCRIBEN 04E and NCRIBEN 05E: are 3.57%, 3.64 % 2.85% and 3.14% respectively. Values of some quality indices such as the iodine values, peroxide values, Acid Values and Free Fatty Acid evaluated in this research project were found to fall within the FAO/WHO recommendations for lecithin. This study has therefore, contributed to the availability of detailed information from the characteristics stand point and quality index of oil extracted from the selected varieties of sesame and lecithin isolated from their oils. This study therefore concludes that lecithin may be sourced from some Nigerian varieties of sesame and their quality may be enough to meet various industrial applications.
Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a versatile industrial crop with little research preference in Nigeria. In this study, exploration on germplasm collection and stakeholder identification for castor was carried out, in four States (Kogi, Kwara, Osun and Oyo) of Nigeria. The exploration was initially carried out in 2013 and updated on stakeholders’ identification in 2019. The aim of the study was to collect/assemble the available castor germplasm and appraise the stakeholders in the major production areas of Nigeria. Information on germplasm sample, production indices, the value chain actors and some of their socioeconomic characteristics were collected, using a structured questionnaire. A total of 54 castor germplasm accessions were collected from 15 local government areas across the four States. The majority (62%) of the farmers intercrop castor with other crops. An almost equal number of the farmers practiced annual and perennial castor cropping systems. Large seeded castor planted was more (81.48%) than small-seeded among the farmers. A progressive increase in stakeholders was observed in all the States. Lack of capsule shellers was identified as one of the major production constraints among the farmers. The high cost of planting materials in castor and other inputs was attributed to the influence of the input suppliers. Limited research preference and poor extension activities were highlighted as a problem at the castor research level in the country. Good government policies for proper value-chain development of non-food industrial crops, such as castor, are highly recommended in Nigeria.
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