Fatty Acid Composition of Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia malabarica Seed Oils - Comparison of their Physico-Chemical Properties

Abstract

The physico-chemical properties of two species of Bauhinia seed oils (Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia malabarica, N.O. Leguminoseae) were investigated. The amounts of oil extracted from both seeds were 16%. Fatty Acid composition as determined by GLC for Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia malabarica revealed the presence of linolenic (0.55%, 0.81%), Linoleic (36.84%, 47.26%) oleic (26.14%, 15.26%), stearic (16.95%, 19.29%), palmitic (19.52%, 17.18%) and myristic (traces, 0.20%) acids respectively. It has been observed that the seed variety influences to a great extent the distribution of fatty acids in the seeds oil. The residual meal after the extraction of oil contains 41% and 25% protein in Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia malabarica respectively.