Physicochemical Characterization of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil

Abstract

Moringa oleifera has been identified as a multifunctional versatile plant with enormous nutritional, health and economic potential .

The purpose of the present study was to examine the physicochemical characteristics of Moringa oleifera seeds oil from Sudan. The hexane-extracted oil content of Moringa oleifera seeds from Sudan was found to be (37.03%), (which is considered high yield). Results of physical and chemical tests of the extracted oil were as follows:- The density (25°C), (0.9333g/cm3), refractive index (40°C), (1.4662), viscosity, (43.0mPa.s), color, (1.7R/30.3Y), pH, (4.3), acid value, (0.77982 mg/g), saponification value, (189.0386 mg/g), iodine value, (59.0085 g/100g), peroxide value, (zero), ester value, (188.2588). The oil was found to contain high levels of oleic acid (75%) followed by palmitic, stearic, behenic, and palmitoleic acid 7.26%, 6.13%, 5.71%, and 0.43%, respectively and fell in the category of high-oleic oils. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the functional group present in the oil. Many parameters of Moringa oleifera oil from Sudan are comparable to those of typical Moringa seed oils reported in the literature. The physicochemical results of different quality attributes of Moringa oleifera from Sudan reveal that it could be employed for edible and commercial applications.