CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPOSITION OF SEEDS AND OIL OF WILD VARIETY OF MOMARDICA-CHARANTIA L FROM GUJARAT, INDIA

Abstract

The seed of Momardica charantia L. contained 30% oil and 45% protein. The seed oil has iodine value of 40.5, saponification value of 192.8, peroxide value of 0.6 and acid value of 1.3. The fatty acid composition (wt%) as determined by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) is: C8:0, 1.3; C10:0, 6.6; C12:0, 2.5; C14:0, 1.5; C14:1, 2.1; C16:0, 2.4; C16:1, 1.5; C18:0, 74.5; C18:1, 1.6; C18:2, 4.7; and C18:3, 1.3.