Extraction and Characterization of Oil from African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Seed

Abstract

The extraction of oil from African locust bean seeds was carried out in this work. Standard procedures were followed to determine the yield present in the oil feed stocks using n-hexane in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Analyses were carried out to determine their proximate compositions and physicochemical characteristics. The determination of the functional groups and fatty acid compositions present in the extracted oils was also carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) respectively. The results revealed that African locust bean seed has higher oil yield, crude fat, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, moisture content than some other seeds such as Date palm seed with the exception of the carbohydrates content. Similarly, African locust bean seed oil which was yellowish brown in colour contained higher acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, free fatty acid with the exception of saponification value and specific gravity in comparism. Result from the FTIR analysis shows that 15 peaks were noticed in African locust bean seed oil, indicating the presence of various functional groups such as OH, C-H, C=C, C=O, C≡ C and C — N. Similarly, the GC-MS result also reveals that there are 6 dominating fatty acid compounds present in locust beans seed oil in relation to their relative weight composition abundance. In locust bean seed oil, linoleic acid stood out as the fatty acid compound with the highest weight composition of 31.9% having a relatively high degree of unsaturation. Furthermore, capric acid and lauric acid were found in this oil. Judging from all the results in this work, it can be deduced that African locust bean seed oil may serve as better alternative oil for consumption and in large-scale production of lubricants, cosmetics, paints, and hydraulic brake fluid.

Extraction and Characterization of Oil from Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Seed

“…Furthermore, the carbohydrates content in date palm seed is 81.88%. this value is also higher compared to that found in African locust bean seed (52.94%) as reported by Olowokere et al [6], the carbohydrate content of the six different varieties of date palm fruit from Sudan analyzed by Mohamed et al [18] and those for Cranberry bean [17]. According to this study, date palm seed can actually offer a relative high amount of energy needed by the body and for feed formulations.…”

“…Crude fibre which plays a significant role in the maintenance of internal distention in intestinal tract was found to be 6.15% for date palm. This value is less than that of African locust bean seed (9.22%) as observed by Olowokere et al [6], and date pits by Amany et al [14]. However, it is greater when compared to the report by Shaba et al [13] for Phoenix dactylifera L. It is instructive to note that adequate consumption of dietary fibres from a variety of foods will help to guide against the risk of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer.…”

“…In this study, the crude protein values for date palm seeds is 5.69%. This value is low when compared with a similar study on date palm seed by Muhammad et al [12], Parkia biglobosa [6] and some legume such as Phaseolus coccineus L. [17]. Though, it can still serve as an alternative source of protein in a country like Nigeria where the staple food is more of the carbohydrate class.…”

“…This relative high moisture content might be as a result of difference in seed variety or in geographical growth conditions such as temperature, rainfall and humidity of the seeds [8]. This is also an indication that date palm seed has a relative low percentage of water which may make it less vulnerable to microbial attack compared to others like African locust bean (5.12%) as reported by Olowokere et al [6], and also less than cashew seed, moringa seed bitter kola seed and melon seed as reported by Saeed et al [9]. Furthermore, the ash content which is also referred to as mineral content needed by the body was found to be 1.20% for date palm seed.…”

“…The extraction process, procedure and method used in carrying out the proximate, physicochemical, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of this work is adopted from Olowokere et al [6] on African locust bean seed oil and from Akpan et al [7].…”