Extraction and Characterization of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil

Abstract

Moringa Oleifera seed oil was extracted using the solvent extraction method. The proximate analysis of the oil was carried out. The physicochemical properties of the oil were also determined. The parameters determined were: moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate for proximate analysis; and pH, saponification value, iodine value, free fatty acid and specific gravity for physicochemical properties. The values of moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate were 0.60%, 1.50%, 2.19%, 39.3% and 56.42% respectively. While the values obtained for pH, saponification value, iodine value, free fatty acid and specific gravity were 5.96, 164.09mg/g, 68.23g/mol, 8.27mgKOH/g and 0.86 respectively. The results showed that Moringa oleifera seed oil is a good source of Carbohydrate, also the saponification values and iodine values obtained shows that it is a good raw material for both home and industrial consumption.