Physicochemical Properties Of African Breadfruit (Treculia Africana) Seed Oil Extracted With Azeotropic Mixtures:- Nedolisa Chizoba V

ABSTRACT

The chemical and physical indices ofAfrican breadfruit seed oil extracted with absolute solvents (hexane, ethanol, and acetone) and azeotropic mixtures (ethyl acetate +water, ethanol + water, and petroleum ether + water) were investigated. The melting points had no significant (p< 0-05) difference with values in oils extracted from absolute solvent ranging from 17.20 - 30.85°C and values in oils extracted from azeotropic mixtures ranging from 40.27 - 45.30°C. Iodine value ranged from 14.37-24.27 (absolute solvent extracted) and 16.21-20.60 (azeotropic mixtures). Oils extracted with the absolute solvents had high saponification and free fatty acid values compared to the values obtained in oils from azeotropic mixtures. The absolute solvent extracted oil and azeotropic mixture extracted oil had good vitamin E content. The absolute solvent extracted oil had a higher smoke points compared to those of azeotropic mixture extracted oil. Test showed the oil samples obtained, to be non-drying oil. The presence of water in the azeotropic mixture lead to an increase in the peroxide value of the oil, making the oil prone to HYDROLYTIC RANCIDITY.