EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS SEED OIL

Abstract

Edible oil was mechanically extracted and characterized from Guna melon (Citrullus colocynthis L.). The physical characteristics of the Guna melon were compared with Citrullus lanatus "Serewe" and Citrullus vulgaris "Bara" melon types. There were significant (P<0.01) differences in the physical characteristics between Guna melon and "Sewere" or "Bara" melons, with respect to shape, length, width, seed weight and volume. Results of the study showed that the yield of extracted Guna melon oil was 54.7+0.82% of the kernel, and 43.3+0.60% of the unshelled seed by weight. The moisture content, free fatty acid content, idodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter content were 0.13 + 0.04%, 0.65 + 0.10%, 109 + 1.50, 213.8 + 4.895, and 1.05+0.06% respectively. The fatty acid composition determined by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) showed individual unsaturated fatty acid to be Oleic (18:1), 15.5+0.07%; Linoleic (18:2), 56.9 +1.04%, and Linolenic (18:3), 0.1+0.02%, while the saturated fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), 10.3 + 0.42%, and stearic (18:0), 14.7+0.68%. The unidentified fatty acids detected amounted to 2.5+0.04%. The results indicate that Guna melo contains high amount of golden yellow, semi-drying soft edible oil, rich in the esstial fatty acids, and therefore justifies its use as a source of vegetable oil


Key Words: Citrullus colocynthis, Curcubitaceae, seed oil, physio-chemical characteristics, fatty acids


Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000: 76-78