The influence of solvents polarity on physicochemical properties and oil yield extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed

Abstract

The effect of solvent polarity, polar and non-polar solvents, on pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oil yield and quality based on selected physicochemical properties was investigated. Five different solvents, like petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, acetone and ethanol were used on a laboratory scale in this study. Results showed that both physicochemical properties and oil yield extracted from the pumpkin seed were influenced by solvent polarity. Oil yield ranged from 4.12 to 27.93%, with higher yield registered in petroleum ether and lowest in ethanol. Results on the physicochemical properties were as follows: Refractive index ranged from 1.437 (cyclohexane) to 1.466 (hexane), acid value, in mg KOH/g oil, ranged from 1.80 (cyclohexane) to 43.54 (ethanol), Peroxide value ranged, in meq O 2 /kg, from 6.70 (hexane) to 58.11 (ethanol), Iodine value, in g I 2 /g, ranged from 1.20 (petroleum ether) to 36.73 (ethanol), Saponification value, in mg KOH/kg, ranged from 30.54 (hexane) to 121.14 (acetone). The findings have demonstrated that solvent polarity significantly influenced physicochemical properties and oil yield extracted from pumpkin seed and therefore can assist in selecting solvents required in oil extraction to maximize yield and enhance or maintain oil quality.

Biodiesel Production from <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i> Larvae Oil: Physichochemical Properties and Acid Composition of Oil as Affected by Oil Extraction Protocol

“…Specifically, the use of hexane solvent resulted in the highest iodine value of 3.02 g/100 g, whereas petroleum ether yielded a lower value of 2.05 g/100 g. The iodine value is a measure of unsaturation and serves as an indicator of the amount of double bonds present in the oil, which is related to its susceptibility to oxidation. This finding is consistent with previous research conducted by Lesten and Kingsley [30], who also reported a difference in iodine values between hexane-extracted oil and petroleum-extracted oil from pumpkin seeds.…”

“…Additionally, unsaturation in the fatty acid chain enhances the cold flow property and offers better stability and a longer shelf life to the biodiesel [37]. Similar results have also been reported for para-rubber seed oil [38] and pumpkin oil [30] extracted using different solvents. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems…”

“…The design layout for WPL oil extraction and their responses on oil extraction yield percentage are presented in which facilitates the extraction of oil from the cells [30]. The extraction time specifically had a significant impact on the yield of n-hexane and petroleum ether extracted WPL oil.…”