Physico-chemical Studies of the Oil of Allium cepa Seeds

Abstract

Allium cepa (Onion) is the most commonly grown and idely used crop in Pakistan. The percentage of yellowish green oil of its seeds is 20.1. with refractive index (n 20 = 1.475) and iod •ne value (123), which shows its unsaturation. The oil contains total fatty acids 89% and is composed of glycerides of myristic (1.76%), palmitic (10.93%), stearic (3 93%), oleic (36,5°/0 ), linoleic (43.659%). Of these the linoleic acid, the most important one has the highest percentage (43. 65).