Physico-chemical properties of seed and fatty acid composition of Bombax costatum seed oil

Abstract

Seeds of B. costatum collected in Bauchi, Nigeria had oil 19.8, ash 7.8, protein 35.4 and carbohydrates 31.4%. Fatty acids in seed oil were caproic 3.25, caprylic 6.51, palmitic 8.14, stearic 3.25, oleic 48.85, arachidonic 3.25, linoleic 13.02, vernolic 13.02 and lignoceric 1.63%. Saponins were 10.00.20 g/kg. The high protein content, low content of toxic substances and amount of polyunsaturated fats in seed oil suggest that B. costatum is potentially suitable for human and animal consumption.