Pak. J. Bot., 39(5): 1443-1453, 2007. | Back to Contents | ||||
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Updated: 09-07-09 | ||||
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS AND SEED OIL FROM A WILD PROVENANCE OF PAKISTAN FAROOQ ANWAR* AND UMER RASHID
Abstract:
The purpose of the present
study was to examine the physico-chemical characteristics of Moringa
oleifera seeds and seed oil from a wild provenance of Pakistan. The
Moringa seeds harvested from the forests of Kohat district of NWFP
exhibited an oil yield of 34.80%. Protein, fiber, moisture and ash
contents were 31.65, 7.54, 8.90 and 6.53%, respectively. The
extracted
M. oleifera seed oil revealed an iodine value of 68.63;
refractive index (40°C), 1.4571; density (24°C), 0.9032 g cm-3;
saponification value, 181.4; unsaponifiable matter, 0.74%; acidity (as
oleic acid) 0.81% and color (1-in. cell) 1.28 R + 31.00 Y.
Determinations of oxidation parameters like induction period (Rancimat
20 L/h, 120°C), specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm, peroxide- and
p-anisidine values demonstrated a good oxidative stability of the
investigated M. oleifera oil. Tocopherols (α, γ and δ)
contents of the oil amounted to 140.5, 63.18 and 61.70 mg kg-1,
respectively and were reduced considerably after degumming. The major
sterol components of the oil were b-sitosterol
(46.16%), campesterol (17.59%), stigmasterol (18.80%) and D5,
avenasterol (9.26%). The wild M. oleifera seed oil was found to
contain oleic acid up to 73.22%, followed by palmitic, stearic, behenic
and arachidic acids 6.45, 5.50, 6.16 and 4.08%, respectively and fell in
the category of high-oleic oils. The results of different quality
attributes of M. oleifera oil from a wild provenance of Pakistan
reveal that it could be employed for edible and commercial applications. Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan |
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