Extraction And Characterization Of Soursop (Annona muricata) Seed Oil

ABSTRACT

The extraction and characterization of oil from soursop (Annona muricata) seed was studied. Soxhiet apparatus with laboratory grade n-Hexane was used for the extraction of the seed oil from soursop seeds; the extraction parameters used were: extraction temperature, solvent to solute ratio and reaction time. The results of the investigation gave the percentage yield of soursop seed oil in the range of 24.36% - 34.43%. The properties of the oil was analyzed using AOAC methods, and the result showed that soursop oil contains saponification value of 212.l9mgKOH/g. % free fatty acid (FFA) of 0.49, acid value of 0.996rngKOH/g, iodine value of 113.74 12/lOOg and peroxide value of l.29rneqKOH/g. Also the moisture content, specific gravity, peroxide value and iodine value were 0.65%, 0.91, 1.29rneqKOH/g and I 13.74g12/100g, respectively. The colour was found to be golden yellow and compared well with soybean seed oil. These results showed that soursop seed oil could possibly be used as edible oil and biodiesel raw material