Comparative Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Ackee Apple (Blighiasapida) Seed Oil and other Seed Oils for Bioresin Production.

Abstract

Oil was solvent extracted from seeds of ackee apple using n-hexane. The moisture content of the seeds and extraction temperature were varied (7.5, 9.5 and 11.5% and 40, 50 and 600C respectively.) The oil was characterized for yield, relative density, free fatty acid value, acid value, iodine value, and saponification value. The values obtained were: oil yield 23.41%, relative density 0.81 g/cm3, free fatty acid value 0.561 mg NaOH/g oil, acid value 1.112 mg KOH/g oil, iodine value 66.2 mg iodine/100 g oil and saponification value 589.1 mg KOH/ g oil. Assessments and comparison of the physicochemical properties of the oil with oils (rosigold mango kernel oil, palm oil, hemp seed oil and soya bean oil) that have been used for bioresin production; revealed that the oil yield was fairly adequate. The free fatty acid and acid values of the ackee apple seed oil were low compared to the aforementioned oils. Despite its comparatively low oil yield, the oil has advantages over palm oil and soya bean oil as it is a waste material that is readily available and sustainable; thus, its use in bioresin production will not compete for its use as an edible oil. Furthermore, the values obtained for iodine value and saponification value shows that ackee apple seed oil is suitable for bioresin production.