Fatty acid profile of oil extracted from African pear (Dacryodes edulis) seed and African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) seed
The environmental menace posed by waste and poor management, use and reuse of most agricultural materials considered as waste in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overstressed. The study was carried out to determine the fatty acid profile of African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) and African pear (Dacryodes edulis) seeds which many consumers considered as waste materials. The seeds of both fruits were respectively removed, air-dried, pulverized and extracted with hexane. Phytochemical screening was performed on both crude extracts according to standard methods. The oil was isolated using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) method and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Glycosides, saponins, steroids and terpenoids were present for both seed extract. Fatty acids including oleic acid (28.34%), linoleic acid (39.56%) and palmitic acid (8.03%) were detected as the principal fatty acids in Dacryodes edulis seed oil while oleic acid (39.86%), linoleic acid (25.18%) and palmitic acid (13.39%) were detected for Chrysophyllum albidum. The results show high percentages of long chain unsaturated acids in both oils which makes them suitable to be used as additives in food.
Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum, Dacryodes edulis, fatty acids, oil, phytochemicals.
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