Physicochemical characterization of baobab fruits, seeds and oil

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%).