Studies on Pomegranate Seed Oil

Abstract

Pomegranate seed oil forming approximately 15% of the seeds, enjoys very high refractive index and iodine value, with very low melting point. Spectrometric examination suggested presence of conjugation. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that 8% of its fatty acids were saturated, 10% monounsaturated, 10% diunsaturated and approximately 70% conjugated acid, most probably punicic acid. The oil properties places it in the industrially important group of drying oils.