Physicochemical and Phytochemical Characterization of Seed Kernel oil From Desert Date (Balanites Aegyptica)

Abstract

The seed oil of Balanites aegyptiaca was extracted and its physical, phytochemical and chemical properties which accounts for the oil quality parameters were investigated. The elemental composition of the oil revealed high metal concentration of sodium (5.9178±0.2 mg/g) in the seed kernel, magnesium (2.2242±0.007 mg/g) and calcium (1.4643±0.5) in the seed oil. The chemical parameters evaluated include saponification value (200.02±0.12 mgKOH/g), acid value (2.14±0.28 (mgKOH/g), iodine value (104.39±0.00 100/g), peroxide value (2.95±0.00 (mEq/kg) and free fatty acid (0.82±0.01%). The physical parameters determined were oil content, specific gravity, refractive index and moisture content. These were found to be 45.32±0.0026%, 0.90±0.03, 1.45 and 0.114±0.04%, respectively. The oil quality parameters showed that the oil is of edible quality with highest %FFA content of 0.84 % and considered non-drying oil. The fatty acids composition of the oil was evaluated using GC-MS as FAME, the oil contains about 47.52 % unsaturated fatty acids. Phytochemical screening of the oil also showed the presence of alkaloid, steroid, cardiac glycoside and carbohydrate. The seed kernel of Balanites Aegyptiaca is a good source of vegetable oil.

An overview of the beneficial attributes and usage of Aduwa (Balanites aegyptiaca) in Foods and medicinal medicine

“…Oils with acid value higher than 4 mg KOH / g tend to have a high percentage of free fatty acids, and are susceptible to rancidity due to the hydrolysis of the free fatty acids at storage conditions. Similar results were reported by Manji et al, (2013) and Jock (2017) on the acid value and the free fatty acid contents of the Aduwa seed oils; however, Ogala, et al, (2018) reported higher results.…”

Natural variability in yield and properties of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile kernel oil from different locations in Nigeria

“…This result agreed with that of Li et al (2022) who reported a significant variation in Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg among Uglans mandshurica Kernel in China. Similar quantities of mineral elements were also observed in desert date kernel oil in Jos, Nigeria (Zang et al, 2017). However, higher mineral values were reported by Atasie and Akinhanmi (2009) in common edible oils in Nigeria (palm ke rnel oil).…”

“…Hassan et al (2021) also reported the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in the kernel oil of desert date. However, Zang et al (2017) reported the absence of these phytochemicals. The contradictions among the results could be a function of oil extraction methods used and screening techniques used for identifying the phytochemicals.…”

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

“…Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of four (4) wild fruits, namely Gardenia erubescens , Sclerocarya birrea, Diospyros mespiliformis, and Balanites aegyptiaca from Ghana. Literature search has shown that the fruits of G. erubescens , S. birrea, D. mespiliformis, and B. aegyptiaca have been characterized through the fruit or pulp [28,29,30] and seeds [31,32] in some parts of the world. Studies have provided some promising nutritional information especially on the proximate, mineral compositions [28,29,30] and vitamin C content [28,29] of one or more of these fruits.…”