Physicochemical Analysis of Balanites aegyptica Fruits

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the physicochemical characteristics of Balanites. aegyptiaca fruits. The analysis included, determination of fruit layers percentage(epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and kernels), elemental content of the fleshy pulp and seeds kernels, extraction and analysis of seeds kernels oil as well as antimicrobial activity of methanolic leaves extract. Inductively coupled plasma and GC-MS instrumentation were used for analysis, chemical composition and investigate the effect of Banalities leaves extract as antimicrobial agent. Moisture and ash contents were measured. Some of the oil properties were measured using the appropriate techniques. These include viscosity, density, refractive index colour, free fatty acid, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value and acid value. The obtained results showed that moisture content as (7.28%), ash content as (3.64%) and oil (46.6%) for seeds kernels.The elemental measurement showed high concentration of calcium (1588.4 ppm), potassium (8439 ppm), sodium (4398 ppm),phosphorus (2460 ppm), zinc (117.8 ppm) and iron (28.29 ppm) in seeds. And high concentrations of potassium (23046 ppm) and calcium (509.8 ppm) in the fleshy pulp. The physicochemical analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca oil showed, viscosity 66.014, density 0.9120, refractive index 1.467, colour 35.4 (yellow), free fatty acid 0.7%, peroxide value 6.8 (mgEq/kg), saponification value 266.475 (mgKOH/g), iodine value 99.104 (mg I2/g) and acid value 1.4022 (mgKOH/g). The GC-MS characterization showed good percentage of the main fatty acids including oleic acid (28.35%), linoleic acid (27.45%), palmitic acid (17.35%) and stearic acid (15.97%). The antimicrobial test on four bacteria species, showed the leaves extract inhibits Escherichia coli gram negative bacteria. The edible, fleshy part, of desert date was found to be rich in K, Ca, Mg and P. The kernels of the seeds were rich in Na, K and Ca