Chemical and Physical Studies on Balanites aegyptiaca Oil

Abstract

Physical and chemical -constants of pulp and kernel oil of Balanites aegyptisca fruits were determined: refractive index, specific gravity, iodine value, saponification value, acid value and unsaponifiable matter. The results of kernel were 1.4643, 0.9154, 97.86, 188.4, 1.7 and 2.1 but in pulp oil were 1.4640, 0.9154, 100, 190.1, 20.4 and 0.82 respectively. Fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter in the pulp and kernel oil of Balanites aegyptiaca were identified by using GLC. The major fatty acids of pulp and kernel oil were the unsaturated. C 15: 1 and linoleic acid were predominant. The percentage of the total unsaturated fatty acid (TUS) was 63.2% in the kernel oil and 45.64% in the pulp oil. Sterol fractions of kernel oil showed that it contains a high amount of campesterol. Hydrocarbon C17, B1C17 and B2, C23 were present in a high amount but C1B· C21 and C23 are found in a low Quantity. Pulp contains a low amount of sterols. Campesterol is the predominant one. B2, C20 is the predominant hydrocarbon. B1C19, B2C22, C20· B1C20• B1C22 and B1C22 are nearly found in the same percentage (7.53-8.65 %1 while the others are present in traces.