Extraction and Characterization of Oil from Trichilia Dregeana (Luya) Seed Beans and Seed Shells

Abstract

The objective of this study was to extract oils from seeds and seed shells of Trichilia dregeana growing in Ethiopia. The oils were extracted using Soxhlet extraction technique and an organic solvent (n-hexane). The yields of the oils were in the range of 39.64-55.4%. The physicochemical properties of the oils such as density, acid value, saponification value and peroxide values were 0.8 ± 0.004 -0.84±0.014g/mL, 0.039±0.004 -5.667 mg KOH/g, 75.82±0.0 - 102.01±0.0 mg KOH/g and 0.01±0.01-0.0182±0.0, respectively. The results showed that all the observed physicochemical data of the oil products to be consistent with literature reported data for oils from seed crops and seeds of Trichilia species. GC-MS analyses also showed that all the oils contain palmitic acid (14-69%). Oleic acid and Linoleic acids were also found in different amounts. Elaidic acid was found (86%) only in one seed shell extract. Soaps were prepared using the extracted oils and alkali solution via saponification process. The properties of the soaps were found to be 9.10-9.81, 8-25.5% and 0.373-0.682 for pH, moisture contents and total alkali contents, respectively. These data and the data for foam and cleaning abilities of the prepared soaps were found to be in the acceptable limit. The results also suggested that Trichilia dregeana seeds and seed shells are rich in oils. High yields of oils from seeds and seed shells suggest their future potential in soap making and also as inputs for biofuel production. This could have significant contribution to economy of a given community where the plant grows in abundance.