OIL FROM NONCONVENTIONAL INDIGENOUS SEEDS PART I. NAGESWAR MESUA-FERREA GUTTIFERAE

Abstract

The characteristics and composition of nageswar (Mesua ferra: Guttiferae) oil and oilcake were studied. The dehulled nut contains 55.18% oil and the deoiled seed meal contains 28.7% protein. The iodine value, saponification value, acid value and unsaponifiable matters (%) were found to be 83.7, 225, 10.32 and 6.6, respectively. The fatty acid composition studied by GLC showed the presence of palmitic acid (16.96%), palmitoleic acid (0.55%), steric acid (14.97%), oleic acid (50.56%), linoleic acid (15.2%) and linolenic acid (1.75%). The distribution pattern of fatty acids in the oil established negeswar as a good source of industrial oil.