This study was based on physico-chemical analysis of the oil content of Pycnanthus seed for its potential and industrial uses. Seeds were collected from a Pycnanthus tree at Awba-dam, UI Ibadan. The results obtained are oil extract 48%, the specific gravity 0.978, refractive index 1.4521, melting point 500C, the saponification value 245.44%, acid value 6.21mg(OH)/g oil, peroxide value 16.12mEq/kg and ester value 239.23. The iodine value of seed oil which placed the oil in the non-drying group was 84.94. Fatty acid composition of the seed oil showed the oil to be rich in lauric acid 64.72%, palmitic acid 13.97%, capric acid 4.99%, capryclic acid 4.40%, myristic acid 4.33% and stearic acid 1.93%. It also contained oleic acid 3.26% and linoleic acid 2.40%. The other fatty acids present in the oil are palmitoleic acid, Linolenic acid and Llignoceric acid. The seeds of the plant could be a source of industrial raw material.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION – PYCNANTHUS ANGOLENSIS
FUNCTIONAL USES
MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a detailed physico-chemical analysis of the oil extracted from the seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis to determine its composition, quality, and potential industrial applications, particularly as a raw material.
- Determination of physical properties such as specific gravity, refractive index, melting point, and fat content.
- Evaluation of chemical characteristics including saponification value, acid value, ester value, peroxide value, and iodine value.
- Analysis of the fatty acid profile to understand the saturation levels and composition of the extracted oil.
- Assessment of the suitability of the seed oil for various industrial purposes, such as soap making or illumination.
Excerpt from the Book
INTRODUCTION – PYCNANTHUS ANGOLENSIS
“Akomu” tree is biologically called Pycnanthus Angolenis. It is called African nutmeg in English, Akwa-mili in Igbo, Lunaba in Luganda, Calabo in Spanish. The trade name given to this tree is Ilomba while it is called Akomu in Yoruba. African nutmeg belongs to the family of Myristicacease (Center Technique forestier Tropical 1961). Parts of the plant are widely reported to have several medicinal value (Agyare et al., 2009). The leaf and bark are used to treat toothache and the sap of of the plant is applied topically to arrest bleeding (Abbiw, 1990).
Pycnnthus angolensis is a tree of about 25 – 35 (40) m high and 60 – 100 (150) cm in diameter, occasionally more, evergreen, bole straight, cylindrical, without buttresses, bark grey, longitudinally fissured, flacking in patches , in old trees, slash reddish, exuding a sticky, honey – coloured sap turning red. The leaves are so often eaten by insects that this is a characteristic feature (Abbiw, 1990).
Fruits (often occuring within the flowers) ellipsoid or almost spherical drupe shape, 2.5 – 3.8cm long and 1.9 – 3.2cm in diameter, often indense clusters at the base of the twigs, opening by 2 values and exposing a solitary black seed with a bright red arill much branched at the apex. The generic name, Pycnanthus is derived from Greek, the literary meaning is ‘dense flowers’ and it refers to the numerous flowers crowded together. It is distributed across the native such as Benin, Congo, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivore, Nigeria, Senegal , Uganda (Abbiw, 1990)
The evergreen tree is the monoecious, with the asexual flowers on different parts of the same branch. In its natural habitat, the flowers are produced in October and November, at the same time on the tree until about February. Deliscence takes place on the tree, but many of the fruit clusters fall unopened (Dupuy, 1993).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION – PYCNANTHUS ANGOLENSIS: This chapter provides a biological and botanical overview of the Pycnanthus angolensis tree, detailing its distribution, nomenclature, and traditional medicinal uses.
FUNCTIONAL USES: This chapter outlines the diverse practical applications of the tree, ranging from its use as timber and fuel to various medicinal purposes for the bark, sap, and leaves.
MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: This chapter describes the technical procedures for sample collection, preparation, and the laboratory methods used to extract the oil and analyze its physical and chemical properties.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION: This chapter presents the experimental findings in tables and discusses the data regarding the oil's physical characteristics, chemical values, and fatty acid composition in comparison to existing literature.
Keywords
Pycnanthus angolensis, seed oil, physico-chemical analysis, specific gravity, iodine value, refractive index, fat content, fatty acid composition, industrial raw material, saponification value, acid value, lipid extraction, hexane, industrial applications, vegetable oil
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the scientific determination of the chemical and physical properties of oil extracted from the seeds of the Pycnanthus angolensis tree.
What are the key thematic areas covered?
The study covers botanical characteristics, practical functional uses of the tree, analytical methods for oil extraction, and detailed laboratory assessment of the oil's quality.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary goal is to evaluate whether the seed oil of Pycnanthus angolensis is suitable for use as a raw material in industrial applications.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized batch solvent extraction (cold extraction) with hexane, followed by standardized laboratory tests to measure melting point, density, and various chemical indices like saponification and iodine values.
What does the main body discuss?
The main body details the methodology for property determination and discusses the experimental results, including the high proportion of lauric acid and the oil's potential for soap and candle production.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Keywords include Pycnanthus angolensis, iodine value, refractive index, fat content, and fatty acid composition, reflecting the analytical nature of the work.
Why is the saponification value of the oil significant?
The high saponification value indicates a high proportion of lower fatty acids, which suggests that the oil is particularly well-suited for the soap-making industry.
What does the low iodine value imply about the oil?
The low iodine value indicates a lower degree of unsaturation, meaning the oil belongs to the non-drying group and is less likely to become rancid quickly, thus extending its shelf life.
What makes the fatty acid profile of this oil unique?
The oil is exceptionally rich in lauric acid (over 64%), which influences its industrial classification and suitability for specific applications like candle and soap manufacturing.
How does this oil compare to other edible vegetable oils?
The study clarifies that because of its specific chemical properties and composition, it is distinct from common edible vegetable oils and is not typically categorized as a drying oil for paints or varnishes.
- Quote paper
- Adekunle Jelili Olaoye (Author), 2017, Physico-Chemical Analysis of Pycnanthus (Pycnanthus Angolensis) Seed Oil, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354931
