Authors : M. S. Akanni , A. S. Adekunle and E. A. Oluyemi
Abstract: The fruits and seeds of seven non-conventional oilseeds indigenous to Nigeria were collected from various locations in the western part of Nigeria between August and November, 2002. The flesh of the fruits of two other seeds was collected. A conventional oilseed, Glycine max (Soya bean) was used as a control. The samples were analyzed for proximate food values and elemental composition was determined using a combination of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), Flame Photometer and Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (TXRF). The proximate analysis showed that five, (Dacryodes edulis seed and flesh, Pesea americana flesh, Irvingia gabonensis and Terminalia catappa seeds) out of nine different samples studied have high oil contents but low protein values. Three of the seeds (Phaseolus lunatus, Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Mucuna spp.) have low oil values but high protein contents. One other seed (Persea americana) is found to have low oil and protein contents and is presumed to have little economic significance. All the seeds showed inverse extracted oils/carbohydrate value relationship. The determined ash and fibre contents are comparable to those obtained for some conventional oilseeds. The high saponification and iodine values confer on the oils the properties required in soap making and cosmetic industry. The low peroxide and acid values recorded for the oils are indicators of their ability to resist lipolytic hydrolysis and oxidative deterioration. The low unsaponifiable matter suggests low cholesterol levels in the oils and thus, they may satisfy the consumption need of antherosclerosis patients.
M. S. Akanni , A. S. Adekunle and E. A. Oluyemi , 2005. Physicochemical Properties of Some Non-Conventional Oilseeds . Journal of Food Technology, 3: 177-181.