Determination of Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Profile of Oil Extract of <i>Blighia sapida</i> Fruit from Selected Areas in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and fatty acid profile of oil extracts of aril, seed and pod of Blighia sapida fruit using standard analytical techniques. The aril had the highest oil yield of 47.05±0.54 %. The iodine values of the oils ranged from 63.72±2.43 to 116.54±1.00 mgI2/g while the acid values ranged from 4.91±0.16 to 9.02±0.34 mg KOH/g. On the other hand, the peroxide values ranged 5.05±0.21 to 9.44±0.09 mEq/kg while the saponification values ranged from 175.23±2.52 to 193.73±1.85 mg KOH/g. The fatty acid profile revealed that the oils contain more unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid (45.18%), 9-octadecenoic acid (51.25%) and oleic acid (89.95%) were the most abundant fatty acid present in the aril, seed and pod oils respectively. The results obtained from the study showed that oils from the various parts of the fruit, upon further processing can be used as edible oil and for various industrial applications.

Keywords: Blighia sapida, physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile.