Abstract:
The aim of this study was the extraction of baobab oil and chemical
characterization of the fruits ,seeds and oil. Baobab samples were obtained from
Alobayed market(Kordofan).Ash and moisture contents were measured for the
fruit powder and baobab seeds. Mineral contents of fruit powder and seeds were
measured by ICP instrument. Vitamin(C)content was measured titrimetrically
using Indophenol solution. Baobab seeds oil was extracted by petroleum ether
using soxhlet. The chemical composition of baobab oil was investigated by GCMS
spectroscopy.
Some
physical
and
chemical
properties
of
the
extracted
oil
were
also
measured.
They include pH value, viscosity, density, refractive index, acid
value, peroxide value, saponification value and ester value.
The obtained results showed average ash content for baobab fruit powder as
9.37% while it was 4.93% for baobab seeds. The average moisture content of
baobab fruit powder and seeds were 18.39% and 7.47% respectively.
The inductively coupled plasma analysis showed ,that, baobab fruit powder and
seeds were rich in some minerals of macro and micro level including
potassium(K), calcium (Ca), magnesium(Mg) , phosphorous(P), copper(Cu),
manganese(Mn) and zinc(Zn).The hazardous elements showed very low
concentrations in baobab fruit powder and seeds. Aluminium and silicon as
undesired elements showed considerable concentrations in baobab fruit powder
and seeds. Titanium(Ti) ,strontium(Sr) and lead(Pb) showed notable concentrations
in baobab fruit and seeds.The baobab fruit powder showed high content of
vitamin(C ).
The GC-MS analysis of baobab oil gave considerable constituents of essential fatty
acids including linoleic acid (25.10%), palmatic acid (21.14%),oleic
acid(17.34%),stearic acid (7.92%),methyl dihydrosterculate (4.81%) ,methyl
arachisate (1.47%), and behenic acid (1.23%).
