Abstract:
The aim of this study was the isolation andcharacterizationof tamarind oil from its seeds. Tamarind samples were obtained from Ali Ibrahim shop for tamarind juice. Ash moisture and protein contents were measured for the seeds. Mineral contents ofseeds were measured by ICP instrument. Tamarind oil was extracted by n-hexane using soxhlet apparatus. The chemical composition of tamarind oil was investigated by GC/MS spectroscopy. Some physical and chemical properties of the extracted oil were also measured. They include density, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value and ester value.
The obtained results showed the percentage ash content fortamarind seedwas2.47%. The percentage moisture content of tamarind seeds was 8.38% and protein as 20.78%.The inductively coupled plasma analysis showed that, tamarind seeds wererich in some minerals of macro and micro levelincludingpotassium(K),calcium(Ca),magnesium(Mg), phosphorous(P), copper(Cu), manganese(Mn) and zinc(Zn).The hazardous elements showed very low concentrations in tamarind seeds. Aluminium and silicon as undesired elements showed considerable concentrations in tamarind seeds. Titanium (Ti) , strontium(Sr) and lead(Pb) showed notable concentrations in tamarind seeds. The Tamarind fruit showedhighcontent of vitamin(C).
The GC-MS analysis of tamarind oil gave considerable constituents of essential fatty acids including linoleic acid (44.956%), Oleic acid (23.98%), palmatic acid (11.984|%), stearic acid (4.476%) and arachidicacid(3.032%.
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The antimicrobial activity of n-hexane extract of the seeds was evaluated against five gram-positive and gram-negative and it as showed activity against bacteria Escherichia coliand fungi Candida ablicans
